Uncharted 5: Rumors, Clues and Why Nathan Drake Might Not Be Done

Uncharted 5 does not officially exist. Naughty Dog has announced nothing, and Sony has stayed quiet. But the series has been dormant since 2017's The Lost Legacy, and a steady trickle of comments, rumors and hints has fans wondering whether Nathan Drake's world is about to reopen.

The most recent spark came in February 2026, when Naughty Dog veteran Shaun Escayg posted an Instagram photo of a cannon in a tropical setting, captioned simply "research." Escayg worked on Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy, and some fans have tied the image to Fort George in Trinidad and Tobago, a site rumored to have held merchant records and valuables. That is a fun theory, but it is only a theory. The post could mean almost anything, or nothing.

More substantial are multiple 2026 reports claiming Naughty Dog is working on a new Uncharted, not a remake, and that Nolan North could return in some capacity. North has said he would say yes in a heartbeat. At Gamergy in Puerto Rico, before those reports surfaced, he said he would do it "110%" and that he keeps in shape just in case. Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson has also said there was "some planning" for an Uncharted 5 before the COVID-19 pandemic, though he gave no details.

Official messaging has been mixed. Back in 2016, studio head Neil Druckmann said "there's no story left for us to tell" with Nathan Drake, calling Uncharted 4 the payoff. Yet he also left the door open to a prequel pitch, and suggested another studio could make a new entry with Naughty Dog helping to protect the series' "essence." In 2022, Escayg said the team has a "never say never" attitude. Fans have floated other routes too, including a sequel starring Cassie, the daughter of Nathan and Elena, whom players control in the Uncharted 4 epilogue.

The competing priorities are worth noting. After canceling The Last of Us Online in 2023, Naughty Dog said it had two single-player games in development. One is the new IP Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which is not expected before 2027. The other is unannounced, and speculation splits between a third Last of Us game and a new Uncharted. Druckmann has said the studio explores several ideas after each project and follows its passion, with Sony giving it room to choose.

The business case is easy to see. The 2022 Tom Holland film grossed more than $400 million worldwide and ranks among the highest-earning video game adaptations ever, and Sony Pictures has talked about a film franchise, though no sequel is announced. Naughty Dog also has not shipped a brand-new game in the PS5 era, only remakes and remasters of The Last of Us.

For now, treat everything as unconfirmed. If Uncharted 5 is real, the most likely stage for a reveal would be a future State of Play or PlayStation Showcase.