The Last of Us: Joel & Ellie on Horseback Premium Statue Due March 2026

With players still searching for any firm sign of a potential third instalment, the post-apocalyptic drama surrounding Joel and Ellie is carrying on elsewhere. Before any fresh game announcements arrive, an official premium statue is already sparking discussion: it recreates one of the most heart-wrenching moments from the first game and is scheduled to ship from March 2026.

Official collector’s piece instead of a new game

Since its 2013 launch, The Last of Us has been widely regarded as a landmark in video game history. Its blend of hard-hitting storytelling, a brutal end-of-the-world setting and the layered bond between Joel and Ellie left a lasting impression on millions. With The Last of Us Part II and the acclaimed HBO series, the audience only grew - yet there is currently silence around any concrete Part III plans.

That gap is now being filled by a new merchandising centrepiece: an officially licensed premium statue that takes its cues directly from the first game. It is aimed squarely at collectors who want to place a physical slice of the story on their shelf - and who are willing to pay a premium for it.

"The new statue captures one of the quietest, yet most emotionally concentrated moments in the entire series."

Joel and Ellie on the road through Colorado

The piece is titled “The Last of Us: Joel & Ellie on Horseback Premium Statue” and clearly references a pivotal sequence from the original. Ellie sits astride the horse Callus while Joel walks alongside, as the pair make their way towards the University of Eastern Colorado.

In the narrative, this stretch signals a shift in their relationship: what began as a partnership of necessity starts to resemble something close to a substitute family. There is little spectacle here; the impact comes from small silences and brief exchanges - and that is exactly the feeling the statue is trying to preserve.

A calm moment on the shelf before the storm

In the game, the mood in this chapter gradually darkens: optimism about a possible answer to the pandemic collides with growing uncertainty and simmering tensions. Anyone familiar with the scene is likely to be pulled back to specific lines of dialogue and the events that follow when they see the statue.

That emotional “snap-back” is precisely what makes it appealing to fans who want more than a “cool item” - they are looking for a tangible symbol of the characters’ development.

Premium quality: how the statue is made

The collectible is produced in polyresin, a material commonly used for high-end figures. It supports fine detailing, and it also brings a satisfying weight - something many collectors value.

• Material: polyresin
• Height: approximately 33 centimetres
• Scene: Ellie on Callus, Joel on foot by her side
• Licence: official The Last of Us product
• Studio: produced by Substance Modelworks

Substance Modelworks focuses on figures based on well-known properties. For this Joel-and-Ellie statue, the clothing, gear and even facial expressions have been recreated as closely as possible to the game. Smaller touches - like creases in Joel’s jacket, scuffs on the saddle, or the ground texture - also add to the overall effect.

"The designers’ aim: to capture the atmosphere of a quiet, almost peaceful moment in the middle of the apocalypse’s chaos."

The design details fans will scrutinise

Long-time players tend to judge The Last of Us merchandise by particular tell-tale elements, such as:

• the familiar wear marks and ageing on Ellie’s clothing
• Joel’s recognisable posture, defined by taut alertness
• Callus’s appearance, who repeatedly functions as a calming presence in-game
• the gentle melancholy of the scene - without tipping into sentimentality

If it all lands, the result feels closer to a miniature diorama than a straightforward figurine.

Price, release window and target audience

This is clearly not designed for casual fans. With a stated price of around 350 US dollars, it sits at the upper end of the collector market. Items in this category are often released in limited runs and can later become noticeably more expensive on the secondary market.

The manufacturer is planning a delivery window between March and May 2026. The precise arrival will depend on order volume and production progress. Pre-orders are already live, which many dedicated fans see as essential - particularly to avoid empty stock shortly after sales begin.

Feature	Details
Price	approx. 350 US dollars
Height	around 33 cm
Availability	delivery window March–May 2026
Licence	official, The Last of Us

Fans are still waiting for The Last of Us Part III

While collectors get ready for this new piece, the biggest question remains unanswered: where does the story of Joel, Ellie and Abby go next? Talk of a third game has circulated for years, but there is still no clear roadmap.

Creative Director Neil Druckmann has said in interviews that there is a broad idea for another chapter. However, there is no indication of a full-scale project actively underway. Naughty Dog is currently focused on other work, including a new science-fiction IP.

"Realistically, players should expect to wait several years before a new main entry comes into view."

That makes companion products more prominent: art books, re-releases, the HBO series and high-end collector figures like this one keep the brand visible even without a wholly new game.

Why premium collectibles benefit the series

For studios such as Naughty Dog, premium figures have several upsides at once. They generate additional revenue, speak directly to the most loyal audience and help keep a franchise part of the wider conversation. In quieter periods between major releases, a figure like this can act as a small “anchor” the community gathers around.

From a fan’s point of view, it is also a way to bring a favourite emotional moment from the game into everyday life. Placing the statue in a living room is a statement: this story mattered to me, and I want to hold on to that feeling.

How collectors can judge the value more realistically

Before buying, the obvious question is whether it makes sense financially - or whether it is purely a purchase of the heart. A few factors can help frame that decision:

• Limited run: the smaller the edition, the higher the collector value tends to be.
• Licensing: official products usually hold value more reliably than unofficial replicas.
• Popularity of the moment: iconic scenes like the Colorado segment typically attract more demand than generic poses.
• Condition and packaging: original boxes and an undamaged figure are crucial for collectors.

No one can promise an increase in value. Anyone picking it up should primarily do so for their emotional connection to the franchise - anything beyond that is a bonus.

More context: The Last of Us as a modern cult franchise

The Last of Us has grown from a single game into a cross-media phenomenon. The HBO adaptation introduced the story to audiences who have never picked up a controller. Merchandise like this statue is built on that broader recognition.

The direction of travel is clear: premium collector items that are displayed more like artworks. Instead of inexpensive plastic toys, heavy polyresin statues end up in display cabinets and on sideboards. For many fans, gaming is increasingly blending with more traditional pop-culture and art collecting.

Anyone interested should plan ahead - both for the shelf space and the budget. The Last of Us will likely see more premium releases over the coming years, and the Joel-and-Ellie statue is simply another step along that route.