The Last of Us co-director Bruce Straley stepping back for sequel

The Last of Us co-director Neil Druckmann will be the sole lead on the recently announced follow-up, The Last of Us Part II. 

In a statement sent to Kotaku, Sony revealed Druckmann's long-time co-director Bruce Straley is currently on a year long sabbatical.

It's not clear whether Straley will be taking a more hands-off role when he returns, or will simply be sitting this one out.

"Bruce recently decided to take some much deserved time off after shipping two critically acclaimed games in the last few years," explained Sony. "He's looking forward to returning to the studio soon and jumping back in on his next project."

Druckmann and Straley co-directed The Last of Us and its well-received expansion, Left Behind, before moving on to oversee Uncharted 4: A Thief's End.