Hideo Kojima Says He Cast His Solid Snake-alike for Death Stranding 2 To Try and Surpass Mads Mikkelsen

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach's latest trailer unveiled a wealth of new information, most notably the casting of Luca Marinelli as Neil, a character whose striking resemblance to Solid Snake has generated considerable buzz. Director Hideo Kojima's casting process for this pivotal role, intended to surpass the impact of Mads Mikkelsen's Cliff from the first game, is a fascinating story in itself.

Kojima detailed the casting journey on X/Twitter, explaining that he discovered Marinelli through his performance in They Call Me Jeeg. Their connection deepened following the Japanese distribution of Martin Eden, where Marinelli proactively reached out to Kojima, expressing his admiration for the director and his work on the Metal Gear series.

Following Marinelli's performance in The Old Guard, Kojima extended an offer. After Marinelli completed filming The Eight Mountains, they spoke, and the actor subsequently agreed to the role. He even facilitated the casting of his wife, Alissa Jung, as Lucy. Their performance capture, completed during the pandemic's peak, impressed Kojima, who praised their dedication and skill despite the challenges.

The trailer's final scene, showcasing Neil sporting a bandanna reminiscent of Solid Snake, further fuels speculation. This iconic imagery, which Kojima himself noted back in 2020, undeniably evokes Kojima's Metal Gear legacy. While Neil's identity remains distinct from Snake, the visual parallels are undeniable.

Death Stranding 2 - Release Date Trailer Screenshots

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Death Stranding 2 Cast

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Kojima's choice of Marinelli, a fitting successor to Mads Mikkelsen, promises an intriguing performance. For a deeper dive into this casting choice and its implications, explore IGN's article: 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 launches exclusively on PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025.