Kojima Productions unveiled a captivating 10-minute trailer for Death Stranding 2 at SXSW, introducing familiar faces like Norman Reedus and Léa Seydoux alongside a newcomer: Luca Marinelli. Marinelli's role, however, transcends a simple character introduction; his presence hints at a potential spiritual successor to Kojima's iconic Solid Snake.
Who is Luca Marinelli Playing in Death Stranding 2?
Marinelli portrays Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, lending both his voice and likeness to the character. While primarily known for Italian-language films, English-speaking audiences may recognize him as Nicky from Netflix's The Old Guard. The trailer depicts Neil in an interrogation, seemingly attempting to sever ties with a shadowy figure who insists he continues his "dirty work"—the smuggling of brain-dead pregnant women. A later scene hints at a romantic relationship with Lucy (played by Marinelli's wife, Alissa Jung), a Bridges employee.
Wait, Brain-Dead Pregnant Women?
Recall the iconic image of Sam Porter Bridges (Norman Reedus) in the first Death Stranding, carrying a Bridge Baby (BB)—a seven-month fetus extracted from a brain-dead mother. This creates a liminal state, enabling BBs to communicate with the dead and detect Beached Things (BTs), malevolent spirits causing Voidouts—catastrophic events capable of city-level destruction. Prior government experimentation with BBs, culminating in a Manhattan Voidout, ostensibly ended; however, Neil's smuggling suggests clandestine research continues, likely for the U.S. government.
Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?
The trailer's final shot of Neil with a bandana bears an undeniable resemblance to Solid Snake. While not explicitly Solid Snake—the universes remain distinct—the visual similarity is intentional. A 2020 Instagram post by Hideo Kojima revealed his admiration for Marinelli, even suggesting a Snake-like resemblance with a bandana. This foreshadows the trailer's visual cue, solidifying the deliberate homage.
How Death Stranding 2 Connects to Metal Gear Solid
The visual echoes extend beyond Neil's appearance. The trailer subtly evokes Metal Gear through Neil's eventual transformation into a Beached being, leading an undead army, mirroring Cliff Unger from the first game. The narrator's mention of the resurgence of U.S. gun culture on a "new continent" directly relates to a core Metal Gear theme: the destabilizing effects of weapons proliferation, particularly nuclear arms—a recurring motif in Kojima's work. This anti-armament stance is reflected in the possibility of non-lethal playthroughs in several Metal Gear games.
The connection might also be metaphysical; Neil could represent a "version" of Solid Snake within the Death Stranding universe. Given the nature of Beached Things, and the perceived conclusion of the Metal Gear saga, Neil's presence could symbolize Snake's enduring spirit within this new narrative. A fleeting skull-like image of Neil in the trailer further strengthens this interpretation.
Beyond Neil, the trailer features Heartman combining the DHV Magellan ship with a colossal BT, creating a bio-robotic giant reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid 5's Sahelanthropus. This further underscores the thematic and visual links between the two franchises. The cinematic scale of the Death Stranding 2 trailer—comparable to the Metal Gear Solid 5 Red Band trailer—highlights Kojima's ambition for this sequel.
Will There Be Another Kojima Metal Gear Solid Game?
The likelihood of another Kojima-directed Metal Gear Solid game is slim. His departure from Konami effectively ended his direct involvement with the franchise. However, Death Stranding 2 serves as a testament to the enduring influence of Metal Gear Solid on Kojima's creative vision. The sequel's expanded environments, increased combat emphasis, and thematic resonance with Metal Gear suggest a spiritual successor, even without sharing the same name.
