Naughty Dog was split on the controversial fate of Joel in The Last of Us Part 2 during the game’s development, according to a new report.
During an interview with KIWI TALKZ, former Naughty Dog artist Heather Cerlana revealed that the studio was internally divided over Joel’s fate in The Last of Us Part 2, long before players debated it upon release. When asked whether the team anticipated controversy, she said, “Oh, yeah…Most of the studio is like, ‘Really? You’re going to – well, spoilers, right?’” Her reaction suggests that the potential backlash was recognized fairly early into development. Joel, as a central and beloved character from the original game, represented a major emotional anchor for fans, and any drastic narrative decision involving him was bound to carry weight.
Cerlana confirmed that the disagreement wasn’t limited to a handful of voices. “I think the studio is pretty split on [the] outcome of what happens,” she said. “Yes, absolutely. It was controversial internally too.” This internal divide mirrors the community response that would later emerge, where some praised the bold storytelling while others criticized it for undermining their connection to the original narrative.
The former Naughty Dog artist acknowledged a certain narrative strength in the decision. “I guess if there’s one positive from it, I guess you can say the story is definitely not forgettable, right?” she mentioned. “You definitely remember the story.” This perspective is in line with those that appreciate the game’s willingness to take major risks.
Regarding Cerlana’s departure from Naughty Dog, her decision was primarily driven by long-term personal plans. “It had been a conversation with my spouse for quite a while to move back to the East Coast,” she said. However, she chose to remain involved with the development of The Last of Us Part 2 long enough to have a meaningful contribution. She noted that she stayed through the development of the game’s vertical slice, wanting “to play some sort of part in developing it” and to engage in discussions around its LGBTQ themes.
