Hideo Kojima Reveals He Selected a Solid Snake Lookalike for Death Stranding 2 in an Effort to Outshine Mads Mikkelsen

The latest trailer for “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach” has generated excitement among fans, especially due to a new character who seems to evoke the legendary Solid Snake from the Metal Gear series. In this installment, director Hideo Kojima has made a significant casting choice with Italian actor Luca Marinelli, who is set to play a character named Neil. This decision sparked considerable discussion, as Kojima aimed to cast someone who could rival the remarkable performance of Mads Mikkelsen, who played Cliff in the first game.

Kojima took to X (formerly Twitter) to share insights into the casting process. He mentioned that Neil would serve as an important character, essentially filling the role left by Cliff. Kojima emphasized that fans’ expectations were high, and he desired to exceed the impact of the previous game’s standout performances.

Kojima discovered Marinelli after viewing his compelling performance in the Italian film “They Call Me Jeeg.” This encounter led to an exchange between the two during the distribution of another film, “Martin Eden.” Marinelli expressed his admiration for Kojima’s work in an email, noting his childhood experiences with the Metal Gear series and how honored he felt that Kojima had seen his film.

After the director became impressed with Marinelli’s appearance in “The Old Guard,” he communicated directly with him, making an offer once Marinelli finished filming “The Eight Mountains.” During their discussions, Marinelli introduced Kojima to his wife, Alissa Jung, who is also involved in the project.

Kojima acknowledged the challenges of filming during the pandemic, saying, “We did their scan and performance capture during the height of the pandemic, but their on-set performance was excellent.” He noted that even preliminary footage showcased their talents, and he expressed gratitude to both Marinelli and Jung for their contributions, especially since they worked without a final script.

The character of Neil has emerged as a standout draw from the latest trailer. In a notable scene, Neil wears a bandanna reminiscent of Solid Snake and leads a group of soldiers, reflecting the commanding style displayed by Cliff in the original “Death Stranding.”

Interestingly, Kojima has had Marinelli in mind for quite some time. Back in 2020, he remarked that Marinelli’s appearance reminded him of Solid Snake, noting that if he donned a bandanna, he would be an uncanny resemblance to the iconic character.

While fans speculate about the nature of Neil’s character, it’s unlikely that he serves as a multiversal counterpart to Snake. Instead, the similarities highlight Kojima’s lasting connection to the Metal Gear franchise and the imagery associated with it. As the release of “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach” approaches, fans are eager to see how Marinelli’s portrayal unfolds.

Scheduled for a June 26, 2025 release, “Death Stranding 2” will be exclusive to PlayStation 5, marking another chapter in Kojima’s evolving storytelling journey in the gaming world.