Hideo Kojima Casts Snake-Like Actor for Death Stranding 2, Aims to Outdo Mikkelsen

The latest trailer for *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach* has stirred excitement among fans, particularly with the casting of Italian actor Luca Marinelli as Neil, a character whose appearance and demeanor echo the iconic Solid Snake from the Metal Gear series. Hideo Kojima, the game's director, shared on X/Twitter the intricate process of casting Marinelli, who was selected to fill the significant role that was occupied by Cliff in the first *Death Stranding*. Kojima's goal was clear: to find an actor who could surpass the impact made by Mads Mikkelsen in the original game.

Kojima first noticed Marinelli in the Italian film *They Call Me Jeeg*, and their professional relationship developed further with the Japanese distribution of *Martin Eden*. In an email to Kojima, Marinelli expressed his admiration, stating, "I grew up with Metal Gear. I am a big fan of yours. I am very honored that you saw the film I starred in. I wanted to tell you this directly." This personal connection played a role in his casting.

Death Stranding 2 - Release Date Trailer Screenshots

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Impressed by Marinelli's performance in *The Old Guard*, Kojima reached out with an offer to join *Death Stranding 2*. Following discussions after Marinelli finished filming *The Eight Mountains*, the actor agreed to take on the role of Neil. Additionally, Marinelli introduced Kojima to his wife, Alissa Jung, who was cast as Lucy. Their performance capture took place during the peak of the pandemic, and Kojima praised their work, saying, "You can see that in the digitized results from even the small bits of the trailer. I can only thank Luca and Alissa for agreeing to perform when we didn't even have a script yet."

Neil's character has become a highlight of the latest trailer, especially when he dons a bandanna reminiscent of Solid Snake and commands a squad of soldiers in a manner similar to Cliff from the first game. This nod to Kojima's past work with the Metal Gear series has not gone unnoticed by fans, and it seems to be a deliberate choice by the director. As early as 2020, Kojima mentioned Marinelli's resemblance to Solid Snake, stating, "I think if he donned a bandanna, he'd be a spitting image of Solid Snake!"

Death Stranding 2 Cast

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While Neil isn't a direct reincarnation of Solid Snake, the visual cues certainly evoke memories of Kojima's legacy with the Metal Gear franchise. Fans are eager to see how Marinelli brings this new character to life. For a deeper dive into the casting and its implications, check out IGN's feature, "Who Is Kojima’s New ‘Solid Snake’ and Why Death Stranding 2 Looks Like the Closest We’ll Ever Get to Another Metal Gear Solid."

*Death Stranding 2: On the Beach* is scheduled to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5, promising to deliver another immersive experience from the visionary mind of Hideo Kojima.