Kojima Productions unveiled an intriguing new trailer for *Death Stranding 2* at SXSW, captivating fans with a 10-minute showcase. The trailer not only brings back familiar faces like Norman Reedus and Lea Seydoux, who reprise their roles from the original game, but also introduces a fresh face to the *Death Stranding* universe: Luca Marinelli. Marinelli, an Italian actor known for his roles in Italian cinema and as the immortal mercenary Nicky in Netflix’s *The Old Guard*, takes on the role of Neil in *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach*.
Who is Luca Marinelli playing in Death Stranding 2?
Luca Marinelli embodies the character Neil in *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach*. The trailer opens with Neil in an interrogation room, accused of mysterious crimes by a man in a suit. Neil insists he was merely doing the "dirty work" for this individual, attempting to sever their professional ties. The suited man retorts that Neil has "no choice" but to continue working for him.
The narrative then shifts to Neil conversing with Lucy, a Bridges employee portrayed by Marinelli's real-life wife, Alissa Jung. Their dialogue suggests a romantic connection and reveals Neil's covert task: smuggling cargo, specifically brain-dead pregnant women.
Wait, brain-dead pregnant women?
The original *Death Stranding* introduced the concept of Bridge Babies (BBs), fetuses removed from brain-dead mothers to exist in a state between life and death. These BBs facilitate communication with the afterlife, enabling their carriers to detect Beached Things (BTs), malevolent spirits that can cause catastrophic Voidouts, akin to nuclear explosions.
Before the events of the first game, the US government conducted experiments on BBs to understand Voidouts. Despite the official termination of these experiments following a disastrous Voidout in Manhattan, clandestine research continued. Neil's smuggling operations suggest he's involved in this ongoing, illicit government project.
Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?
The trailer concludes with a striking image of Neil donning a bandana, reminiscent of Solid Snake from Hideo Kojima's *Metal Gear Solid* series. This visual nod has sparked discussions about a potential connection between Neil and Solid Snake. While Neil is not Solid Snake, and the universes remain separate, the homage is intentional.
Kojima himself highlighted Marinelli's resemblance to Solid Snake in a 2020 Instagram post, suggesting that Marinelli, with a bandana, could embody the iconic character. This reference underscores Kojima's playful yet meaningful nod to his previous work.
How Death Stranding 2 connects to Metal Gear Solid
The trailer for *Death Stranding 2* is rich with references to *Metal Gear Solid*. Neil's transformation into a Beached entity, accompanied by undead soldiers, mirrors themes from the *Metal Gear* series, particularly the exploration of gun culture and the destabilizing effects of weapons on humanity. Kojima's work has consistently critiqued the proliferation of nuclear arms, a theme echoed in Neil's narrative.
Moreover, the trailer features Heartman merging the DHV Magellan with a colossal BT to form a bio-robotic giant, reminiscent of the Sahalanthropus from *Metal Gear Solid 5*. This fusion not only evokes the iconic machines of the *Metal Gear* series but also ties into the concept of Voidouts as a form of nuclear threat.
The cinematic quality of the *Death Stranding 2* trailer also recalls the epic scope of the *Metal Gear Solid 5* Red Band trailer, blending gameplay and cutscenes to showcase Kojima's vision.
Will there be another Kojima Metal Gear Solid game?
It's evident that Hideo Kojima will not return to the *Metal Gear Solid* franchise following his departure from Konami. Future *Metal Gear* projects, such as the upcoming remake of *Metal Gear Solid 3*, will proceed without his involvement. However, the themes and imagery of the series continue to influence Kojima's work, as seen in *Death Stranding 2*.
With *Death Stranding 2*, Kojima is not creating a *Metal Gear Solid* game, but he is drawing inspiration from his past to craft a new narrative. The sequel promises even grander ambitions, with diverse environments and a greater focus on combat, bringing it closer to the spirit of *Metal Gear Solid* than ever before.
