The Last of Us: Joel & Ellie on Horseback Premium Statue launches in spring 2026

While gamers around the world keep wondering where The Last of Us could go next in playable form, an official licensing partner has already been working behind the scenes on something tangible: a high-end statue recreating one of the most emotional moments from the first game, scheduled for release in spring 2026.

A new collectible instead of a new game

Since 2013, The Last of Us has been one of the defining names in gaming. Two mainline games, a celebrated remake, and the HBO series have kept the franchise firmly in the spotlight. One subject, however, remains conspicuously quiet: a potential third instalment.

There are still no concrete announcements for The Last of Us Part III. Naughty Dog continues to play its cards close to its chest, speaking only in broad terms about ideas and concepts. Into that gap now comes an official product aimed squarely at collectors.

"Instead of a new game, a highly detailed premium statue featuring Joel and Ellie will hit the market in spring 2026 – officially licensed and clearly tailored to fans."

For fans looking to bridge the wait for fresh content, a premium collectible like this is often more than simple decoration. It becomes a physical memento tied to specific key moments from the series.

Joel and Ellie on horseback: an iconic scene as a figure

The new release carries the official name “The Last of Us: Joel & Ellie on Horseback Premium Statue”. It centres on a sequence many players still remember vividly: Ellie sits on the horse Callus, while Joel walks alongside.

The moment is taken from the section at the university in eastern Colorado. It’s there that the relationship between the two leads shifts noticeably. What began as a practical partnership starts to resemble something closer to a fractured but genuine father–daughter bond.

Why this particular moment lands so powerfully

• It’s one of the rare quiet stretches in the game where no immediate threat is bearing down.
• Players see Joel begin to give Ellie more responsibility.
• The setting - abandoned campus buildings with nature reclaiming the concrete - intensifies the mood.
• The scene encapsulates their journey: worn out, uncertain, but together.

That’s exactly what the statue is intended to capture: not a heroic action stance, but a subdued, reflective beat that carries real emotional weight.

Materials, size, and finish: how the statue is made

The piece is produced in polyresin, a hard, finely sculptable material that’s considered standard in the premium figure segment. It stands at roughly 33 cm - large enough to stand out in a display cabinet, without feeling oversized.

Substance Modelworks is responsible for the sculpt, a studio known for figures based on major brands. The aim is to achieve visual closeness to the game that pulls fans straight back into the scene.

Details fans can expect

Based on the information available so far, buyers can look forward to the following features:

• A finely sculpted Callus, including tack, coat texture, and musculature
• Ellie’s outfit with natural folds, signs of wear, and a believable seated posture in the saddle
• Joel’s signature look with backpack, weapon, and his recognisable stance
• A diorama-style base evoking the university campus
• Careful paintwork that reflects the game’s relatively muted colour palette

"The statue isn’t aiming for exaggeration or a comic-book look; it tries to recreate the calm, melancholic atmosphere of the original scene as accurately as possible."

Price and release: not one for spur-of-the-moment purchases

Anyone wanting to add Joel, Ellie, and Callus to their home display should be prepared to pay a premium. The listed price sits at around US$350. Once taxes, shipping, and potential customs charges are added, the final figure for UK buyers is likely to be higher.

Key facts at a glance:

Aspect	Details
Product	“The Last of Us: Joel & Ellie on Horseback Premium Statue”
Height	approx. 33 cm
Material	polyresin
Price	around US$350 (excluding import costs)
Manufacturer	Substance Modelworks, officially licensed
Shipping window begins	expected March to May 2026

Shipping is planned for the March to May 2026 window. The exact timing will depend on production volume and the number of pre-orders. Pre-orders are already available directly through the manufacturer.

The wait for The Last of Us Part III continues

Alongside the statue, the big question for many players remains the same: is a third instalment coming - and if so, when? Creative director Neil Druckmann has suggested in interviews that a rough story idea exists. But there’s still no indication of an active project, let alone any release timeframe.

Right now, Naughty Dog is focused on other work, including a new IP with a science-fiction setting. Anyone hoping for a quick return to Joel, Ellie, or Abby will likely need to be patient for several more years.

"The premium statue also acts as a signal: the brand The Last of Us continues to live on, even if new games seem a long way off."

Why merchandise matters so much for brands like The Last of Us

For major game franchises, high-quality figures and collectibles have long had a fixed place in the ecosystem. They keep a brand visible when many years pass between releases. Fans stay engaged, share photos of their display cabinets, and discuss quality, limited runs, and paint application in forums.

For the manufacturer, a product like this is both risk and opportunity: the target audience is smaller, but willing to spend significantly more per item. In the end, quality determines whether it’s a success or a disappointment.

Is it worth buying - and who is the statue for?

Whether a price of around US$350 feels justified depends heavily on how you view collectibles. For casual players who finished The Last of Us once and moved on, it will be difficult to rationalise that kind of spend.

The statue is most compelling for three groups in particular:

• Hardcore fans of the series who want as many parts of the franchise on their shelves as possible.
• Figure collectors who already invest in premium polyresin and care deeply about sculpting detail.
• Merchandise investors hoping for value retention or future appreciation.

Anyone buying should also keep this in mind: polyresin feels premium, but it’s also fragile. A fall from a shelf can quickly result in chipped pieces. A stable, dust-protected setup - ideally a display cabinet - is close to essential.

What fans should consider before pre-ordering

A few straightforward questions can help before committing:

• Do I have a safe space where the statue will be properly showcased?
• Roughly how much will customs charges and shipping add?
• Do I plan to keep it on display, or collect it sealed in the box?
• How strongly is my attachment to The Last of Us tied to this specific university sequence?

If you answer those honestly and still feel excited, you’re almost certainly the target audience. For everyone else, a more affordable poster or an art book may be enough to tide you over until the next game.

What’s clear is this: the statue doesn’t replace a successor to The Last of Us Part II, but it does give the huge fanbase something new for their collector shelves - and shows that the franchise continues to be actively marketed, even with an uncertain future on the gaming side.