Amy Hennig shares her thoughts on Uncharted’s future potential, drawing inspiring parallels with the enduring Indiana Jones franchise.

Amy Hennig, the creative force behind the Uncharted series, has been on quite the journey since her departure from Naughty Dog in 2014. From canceled Star Wars projects to her current venture with Skydance New Media’s Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, she’s proven time and again that she knows how to craft compelling narratives that keep players on the edge of their seats.

Amy Hennig, the mother of the Uncharted franchise. | Image Credit: AIAS/YouTube

Back in 2018, during a candid interview at Gamelab in Barcelona where she received the Honor Award, Hennig shared some intriguing thoughts about the future of the franchise she helped build. Despite Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End seemingly wrapping up Nathan Drake’s story with a neat bow, she suggested that there might be more tales to tell in this treasure-hunting universe.

And her reasoning? Well, it all comes down to a certain fedora-wearing archaeologist who’s been cracking his whip across movie screens for over four decades.

The endless possibilities for Uncharted‘s future

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The recent triumph of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has proven that there’s still an insatiable appetite for well-crafted archaeological adventures. MachineGames’ critically acclaimed take on the iconic franchise has shown that with the right blend of reverence for the source material and fresh ideas, even the most established series can find new life.

It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of the genre that Amy Hennig herself helped revolutionize with Uncharted. Speaking to Gamereactor at Gamelab, she laid out a compelling case for why the series could continue well beyond Nathan Drake’s retirement:

Look, I think there’s a lot of material there that you could continue with Cassie, with the daughter, you could do flashback stories with Nathan Drake… you just look at Indiana Jones; there’s really not a limit.

This comparison feels particularly relevant now, as The Great Circle has demonstrated how a beloved character’s universe can expand in unexpected ways while staying true to its roots. Just as Indy’s latest adventure has introduced new mechanics and storytelling techniques while preserving the series’ essence, Hennig suggests that Uncharted could follow a similar path:

You can always jump back in and tell a story with an older character and that gives a whole different colour to it, which is kind of cool, and you could do sort of the Young Indiana Jones version of Nathan Drake if you wanted to.

The possibilities she outlines are especially intriguing given how the gaming industry has evolved since her departure from Naughty Dog. With the studio itself venturing into new territory with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, their first new IP in over a decade, perhaps it’s time for Uncharted to chart some new paths of its own.

From treasure hunting to superhero action

A scene from Amy Hennig’s upcoming offering. | Image Credit: Skydance New Media

While Hennig herself has moved on to new adventures, her influence on the action-adventure genre remains undeniable. Her current project, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, seems to carry forward many of the cinematic storytelling principles she established with Uncharted while pushing into bold new territory.

Recent previews have revealed an ambitious scope that spans from war-torn Paris to the technological wonders of Wakanda. It’s clear that Hennig’s talent for crafting globe-trotting adventures remains as sharp as ever, even as she trades ancient artifacts for superhero showdowns.

I’m excited, because it sounds like the filmmakers are gonna do that actually with the Uncharted film and go back to an earlier time and stuff like that.

This quote, though originally about the Uncharted movie, could just as easily apply to her approach at Skydance New Media. The DNA of her storytelling style—that perfect blend of character development, historical intrigue, and blockbuster action—continues to evolve and find new expression in different genres.

Now, whether we’ll ever see another Uncharted game that lives up to Hennig’s original vision remains to be seen. But one thing’s for certain: the template she created, much like the Indiana Jones films that inspired it, has proven to be timeless.

What direction would you like to see the Uncharted series take? Should it follow Cassie’s adventures, explore Nathan’s past, or chart an entirely new course? Share your thoughts in the comments below!