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

The latest trailer for *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach* has set the gaming community abuzz, particularly with the reveal of a new character, Neil, played by Italian actor Luca Marinelli. Fans are drawing parallels between Neil and the iconic Solid Snake from the Metal Gear series, due to his striking resemblance and mannerisms. Director Hideo Kojima has been vocal about the casting process, aiming to surpass the impact of Mads Mikkelsen's character, Cliff, from the first game.

Kojima took to X/Twitter to detail his journey in casting Marinelli. He discovered the actor through his performance in the Italian film *They Call Me Jeeg* and further engaged with him during the Japanese distribution of *Martin Eden*. Marinelli's personal connection to Kojima's work was evident when he emailed the director, expressing his admiration for the Metal Gear series and his honor at Kojima's interest in his films.

Death Stranding 2 - Release Date Trailer Screenshots

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Kojima's admiration for Marinelli grew after seeing him in *The Old Guard*, leading to an offer to join *Death Stranding 2*. During the height of the pandemic, Marinelli and his wife, Alissa Jung, who plays Lucy in the game, underwent performance capture. Kojima praised their dedication, especially considering they agreed to participate without a complete script.

Neil's introduction in the trailer, complete with a bandanna reminiscent of Solid Snake and a commanding presence akin to Cliff, has made him a standout character. This nod to Kojima's past work with the Metal Gear series has fans excited and speculating about the potential influences and Easter eggs in *Death Stranding 2*.

Death Stranding 2 Cast

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Kojima's vision for Marinelli as Neil, especially with the bandanna imagery, has been a long time coming. In 2020, he hinted at this casting, noting how Marinelli could embody the essence of Solid Snake. While Neil isn't a direct reincarnation of Snake, the visual cues and Kojima's history with the franchise are unmistakable.

For deeper insights into Neil and the connections to Metal Gear, 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 slated to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5, promising an intriguing continuation of Kojima's unique narrative universe.