Ellie is the only survivor known to be immune to the cordyceps virus in The Last of Us, evident by the reverence the Fireflies have for her and the utter distrust of characters like Joel.
However, in an interview with YouTuber Kiwi Talkz (via GamesRadar+ ), former Naughty Dog lighting artist Gabriel Betancourt claimed that co-director Neil Druckmann told him “a lot of people are immune” and “there's a whole congregation of people like that.”
It's unclear if Druckmann plans to introduce this “congregation” of immune individuals in the rumored Part 3, but it's worth considering that Betancourt left Naughty Dog seven years ago. This could be nothing more than an idea floating around among the developers rather than a concrete plan for a sequel, but if it was, those plans could easily change.
Betancourt isn't convinced it's a good idea
As Betancourt says, one of the risks of introducing a group of immune survivors is that it could dilute the “gravity” of the first game's emotional ending, in which Joel brutally murders the Firefly doctors to save Ellie, jeopardizing the possibility of a cure.
A community-led poll three years ago suggested that a majority of the community did not believe Eli was the only immune survivor.
Of course, if there are other immune survivors, that doesn't make killing those trying so hard to save the world any less brutal, but it takes away from Eli's importance. There is no real consequence to his 'rescue', as there may be another group around the corner who may offer the exact same solution anyway.
However, Druckmann confirmed last year that Naughty Dog's intention was for scientists to “cure” Joel by leaving him alone, which already takes some away from the effect, as it removes any ambiguity.
- issued
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September 2, 2022
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ // Blood and gore, intense violence, sexual themes, strong language, use of alcohol
- publisher(s)
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Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Engine
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naughty dog
- Franchise
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The last of us
