Kojima Productions recently unveiled an exciting new 10-minute trailer for Death Stranding 2 at SXSW, captivating fans with a mix of familiar and new faces. Among the returning stars, Norman Reedus and Lea Seydoux reprise their roles, bringing continuity to the intriguing narrative of the Death Stranding universe. However, the spotlight shines on a fresh face, Luca Marinelli, who steps into the game as Neil, a character poised to become as iconic as Kojima's legendary Solid Snake.
Who is Luca Marinelli playing in Death Stranding 2? ---------------------------------------------------Luca Marinelli, an acclaimed Italian actor, lends his voice and likeness to the character Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. While Marinelli is best known to international audiences for his role as the immortal mercenary Nicky in Netflix's The Old Guard, his portrayal of Neil introduces a new dimension to the Death Stranding saga. In the trailer, Neil is initially seen in an interrogation room, facing accusations from a mysterious man in a suit. Neil claims he was merely doing the "dirty work" for this man, suggesting a strained working relationship. The man retorts that Neil "has no choice" but to continue his tasks.
The narrative then shifts to a scene where Neil converses with Lucy, a Bridges employee played by Marinelli's real-life wife, actress Alissa Jung. Their dialogue hints at a romantic connection and reveals Neil's controversial job: smuggling brain-dead pregnant women. This element ties directly into the game's lore about Bridge Babies (BBs), crucial to detecting Beached Things (BTs) and preventing Voidouts—catastrophic events that can obliterate entire cities.
Wait, brain-dead pregnant women?
The original Death Stranding introduced players to the concept of BBs, infants removed via c-section from brain-dead mothers, creating a unique connection between life and death. These BBs help their carriers detect BTs, which are malevolent spirits trapped in the living world. The US Government's secret experiments with BBs, aimed at understanding and controlling Voidouts, were halted after a disastrous incident in Manhattan. However, Neil's smuggling suggests that these experiments continue clandestinely, hinting at deeper governmental intrigue in Death Stranding 2.
Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?
The trailer concludes with a striking image of Neil donning a bandana, reminiscent of Solid Snake from Kojima's Metal Gear Solid series. While Neil is not literally Solid Snake, the visual homage is deliberate. Hideo Kojima's admiration for Marinelli, highlighted in a 2020 Instagram post, underscores this connection. Kojima noted that Marinelli, with a bandana, would resemble Solid Snake, a nod that fans eagerly picked up on in the new trailer.
How Death Stranding 2 connects to Metal Gear Solid
The trailer doesn't just pay homage to Metal Gear Solid through Neil's appearance; it weaves in thematic elements from Kojima's previous work. Neil's transformation into a Beached entity, leading a platoon of undead warriors, echoes the themes of gun culture and the destabilizing effects of weapons, central to the Metal Gear series. The trailer also hints at a "new continent" where gun culture re-emerges, further connecting to Kojima's anti-armaments stance.
Moreover, the trailer introduces a bio-robotic giant formed by combining the DHV Magellan with a colossal BT, reminiscent of the Metal Gear machines. This fusion not only evokes the iconic imagery of Metal Gear Solid but also ties into the narrative of nuclear proliferation and its consequences, a recurring theme in Kojima's work.
The cinematic quality of the Death Stranding 2 trailer, akin to the Red Band trailer for Metal Gear Solid 5, showcases Kojima's flair for blending gameplay with epic storytelling, treating characters like movie stars.
Will there be another Kojima Metal Gear Solid game?
While Hideo Kojima will not be involved in future Metal Gear Solid games following his departure from Konami, his creative spirit continues to draw from the series. Death Stranding 2, with its expanded environments, increased focus on combat, and thematic echoes of Metal Gear, represents Kojima's ongoing exploration of the themes and visuals that defined his earlier work. Although not a Metal Gear Solid game by name, Death Stranding 2 promises to be a spiritual successor, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and gameplay in the gaming world.
