The Last of Us: Joel & Ellie Premium Statue Arrives in 2026

While rumours surrounding a possible The Last of Us Part III continue to circulate, the franchise is showing clear signs of life elsewhere. A high-end premium statue scheduled for March 2026 will depict Joel and Ellie in an iconic moment from the first game, complete with their horse Callus and extensive detailing.

New hope for fans: no third game, but a strong signal

Since its 2013 release, The Last of Us has been regarded as one of the defining series of the modern gaming era. It has produced two major games, a remake and an acclaimed HBO series, yet little has been said about where the franchise goes next. There is still no official information on The Last of Us Part III.

A newly announced official collectible now fills some of that silence. It is certainly no replacement for a new game, but it does show that Sony and Naughty Dog are continuing to support the franchise. For dedicated fans who follow every small development, that is an important sign.

“A new The Last of Us premium statue brings one of the quietest yet most defining scenes from the first game to fans’ display shelves.”

Joel and Ellie on horseback: an iconic scene preserved

Officially titled “The Last of Us: Joel & Ellie on Horseback Premium Statue”, the piece is based on the section in which Joel and Ellie explore the University of Eastern Colorado. Players will remember the open grounds, abandoned buildings and a brief spell of relative calm within an otherwise brutal world.

Ellie is seated on Callus while Joel walks alongside them, creating an image that clearly conveys the bond the two characters have developed. That is precisely the feeling the collectible aims to capture: less action, more connection.

Why this particular scene feels so emotional

The university sequence has a quieter, almost reflective mood. Amid the Clickers, bandits and infected, it is one of the rare occasions when Joel and Ellie can pause, catch their breath and talk to one another. For many fans, these small human moments are the series’ true strength.

• Joel and Ellie’s relationship takes centre stage.
• The scene conveys trust rather than conflict.
• Its calm mood sharply contrasts with the violence found throughout the rest of the game.

The statue focuses on exactly this point, preserving the moment for a display cabinet rather than a screen.

Premium quality: 33 centimetres of highly detailed polyresin

Made from polyresin, an established material in the collectibles market, the figure allows for particularly intricate textures. At approximately 33 centimetres tall, it will make a noticeable impression on a shelf without feeling oversized.

The design has been created by Substance Modelworks, a studio with previous experience producing figures based on popular entertainment franchises. This is not a basic merchandise novelty, but a traditional high-end statue intended for adult fans.

Details included in the Joel and Ellie statue

According to the manufacturer, authenticity is the central priority, covering both the characters and their surroundings.

• Fine creases and signs of wear on Joel’s clothing
• Ellie’s recognisable equipment, including her backpack and the cut of her outfit
• Texture in Callus’s coat, alongside saddle and bridle details
• A base featuring references to the game’s university setting

The scene is intended to convey a quiet, almost melancholy atmosphere. Anyone who has completed the game should recognise it immediately, even without a logo or lettering.

Price and release: a luxury item for committed collectors

This will not be a low-cost purchase: the listed price is around US$350. The statue is therefore clearly aimed at collectors willing to spend heavily on high-quality gaming memorabilia.

Delivery is provisionally planned for March to May 2026. Pre-orders are already open via the manufacturer’s official website. As is common with products of this kind, the precise delivery date may vary depending on order volumes.

“At around 350 dollars, the Joel and Ellie statue is a luxury item – more a display-piece artwork than conventional fan merchandise.”

Who will genuinely benefit from buying it

Viewed realistically, the purchase chiefly makes sense for three groups:

• Long-standing fans who have followed The Last of Us since 2013 and want a keepsake.
• Collectors of premium figures who generally invest in limited gaming statues.
• Fans of the HBO series who would now like a physical franchise item in their living room.

Those who only play occasionally and have little interest in collectibles will probably consider the price far too high.

A franchise on hold: what comes next for The Last of Us?

While collectors plan their shelves, the most important question remains unanswered: will players receive a third mainline game? No official announcement has been made, although creative lead Neil Druckmann has previously suggested in interviews that a rough story idea for another instalment exists.

At the same time, Naughty Dog is working on a new science-fiction franchise. That requires resources and may explain why a possible The Last of Us Part III is being pushed further back. Many observers do not expect a release before the end of the decade, assuming the project receives the green light at all.

As long as that uncertainty continues, the community’s attention will increasingly turn to other signs of life from the franchise: television seasons, new versions of the games and now premium collectibles such as the new Joel and Ellie statue.

Why merchandise matters so much to the franchise right now

Licensed products including figures, books and artwork now serve a strategic role for major franchises. They sustain interest when several years pass between large releases. This works especially well for story worlds that carry strong emotional weight.

The Last of Us is defined not only by its gameplay or visuals, but also by its characters. A statue portraying an intimate scene connects directly with that strength, much more effectively than a basic logo T-shirt, for example.

For publishers and studios, this brings several advantages:

• The franchise remains part of the conversation without requiring a new game release.
• Additional revenue arrives while major projects remain in development.
• The loyalty of the most devoted fans is strengthened because they own physical mementoes.

What makes polyresin statues so special

Anyone familiar only with simple PVC figures may wonder why polyresin costs so much. The material is heavier and more prone to breaking, but it also allows for considerably finer detail. Creases, scars and leather textures all appear much more realistic.

That also raises the risk involved in transport and display. Collectors should avoid placing the figure directly on an edge and choose a stable location with minimal vibration. Direct sunlight can also damage the quality of the paintwork over time.

As a general rule, polyresin figures should be treated more like artworks than toys. Anyone with children at home should position the statue out of reach.

How fans can make the wait for new games worthwhile

Naturally, the statue alone will not satisfy the desire for a new game. However, those looking to use the time before a possible announcement productively have several options.

• Replay the first game or the remake, paying attention to small details.
• Watch the HBO series while looking out for differences from the source material.
• Explore art books, making-of videos and developer interviews to gain a better understanding of how the series was created.
• Discuss fan theories about a possible third instalment, including how Ellie’s story might continue.

Activities like these help keep a personal connection to the franchise alive. The new Joel and Ellie statue fits this pattern exactly: it acts as a physical focal point for all the emotions players have associated with The Last of Us since 2013.