Kojima Productions recently unveiled an exciting 10-minute trailer for Death Stranding 2 at SXSW, showcasing both familiar and new faces. Among the returning stars are Norman Reedus and Lea Seydoux, reprising their roles from the original game. However, the trailer introduces a fresh character, portrayed by the Italian actor Luca Marinelli, who seems set to take on a role reminiscent of Kojima's iconic Solid Snake.
Who is Luca Marinelli playing in Death Stranding 2? ---------------------------------------------------Luca Marinelli lends his voice and likeness to the character Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Known primarily for his roles in Italian cinema, Marinelli gained international recognition for his portrayal of the immortal mercenary Nicky in Netflix's The Old Guard. In the trailer, Neil is initially seen in an interrogation room, accused of unspecified crimes by a man in a suit. Neil claims he was merely doing the "dirty work" for this man and seeks to end their arrangement, only to be told he has "no choice" but to continue.
The scene shifts to Neil conversing with a Bridges employee named Lucy, played by Marinelli's real-life wife, actress Alissa Jung. Their dialogue suggests a romantic connection and reveals Neil's job involves smuggling cargo—specifically, brain-dead pregnant women.
Wait, brain-dead pregnant women?
In the original Death Stranding, one of the most striking images is Sam Porter Bridges, played by Norman Reedus, carrying a glowing orange flask with a baby inside. This baby, known as a Bridge Baby (BB), is a seven-month fetus extracted from a brain-dead mother, existing in a state between life and death. This unique condition allows BBs to communicate with the world of the dead, helping their carriers detect Beached Things (BTs), malevolent souls that can cause catastrophic Voidouts.
Before the events of the first game, the US Government conducted experiments with BBs to understand Voidouts, which are devastating events akin to nuclear explosions. These experiments were officially halted after a BB-related Voidout destroyed Manhattan and killed the President. However, the research continued covertly, which explains Neil's smuggling activities. He is likely working for the US Government to support their ongoing, illegal BB research.
Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?
The trailer concludes with Neil tying a bandana around his forehead, strikingly reminiscent of Solid Snake from Kojima's Metal Gear Solid series. While Neil is not Solid Snake, the visual homage is intentional. Hideo Kojima has previously expressed admiration for Marinelli, suggesting that with a bandana, he could resemble Solid Snake. This nod to Kojima's past work is evident in the trailer, though the universes of Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding remain distinct.
How Death Stranding 2 connects to Metal Gear Solid
The trailer for Death Stranding 2 not only pays homage to Metal Gear Solid through Neil's appearance but also evokes its themes. Neil becomes Beached, his soul trapped in the living world, similar to Cliff Unger from the first game. Accompanied by undead warriors, Neil's character reflects the theme of gun culture and weapon proliferation, a recurring motif in Kojima's work. The Metal Gear series often dealt with the dangers of nuclear weapons and the moral complexities of using violence to prevent greater harm.
The trailer also hints at a metaphysical connection between Neil and Solid Snake. As a Beached Thing, Neil's soul is tethered to the living world, perhaps symbolizing the lingering presence of Snake in Kojima's creative universe. This is underscored by a moment where Neil's face briefly turns into a skull, reminiscent of Snake's iconic imagery.
Another significant reference to Metal Gear is seen when Heartman merges the ship, DHV Magellan, with a colossal BT to create a bio-robotic giant, reminiscent of the Sahalanthropus from Metal Gear Solid 5. This fusion symbolizes the potential for destruction akin to nuclear weapons, a central theme in the Metal Gear series.
The cinematic quality of the Death Stranding 2 trailer mirrors that of the Metal Gear Solid 5 Red Band trailer, showcasing characters as if they were movie stars and blending gameplay with cutscenes to create a grand narrative.
Will there be another Kojima Metal Gear Solid game?
It's highly unlikely that Hideo Kojima will return to the Metal Gear Solid series, as he parted ways with Konami, the franchise's owner. Future Metal Gear Solid projects, such as the upcoming remake of Metal Gear Solid 3, will proceed without his involvement. However, the themes and imagery from Metal Gear Solid continue to influence Kojima's work, as seen in Death Stranding 2.
The trailer for Death Stranding 2 suggests that Kojima's vision for the sequel is even more ambitious than the first game, featuring diverse environments and a stronger focus on combat. While not a Metal Gear Solid game by name, Death Stranding 2 draws heavily from its predecessor's themes and aesthetics, promising a thrilling new chapter in the Death Stranding universe.
