Hideo Kojima's highly anticipated sequel, "Death Stranding 2 On The Beach," dropped a brand-new, action-packed 10-minute trailer yesterday at SXSW, officially confirming its PlayStation 5 exclusive launch on June 2, 2025.
But the biggest buzz from the new trailer? The reveal of "Neil," a brand-new character portrayed by Italian actor Luca Marinelli, known for his roles in "The Old Guard" and "They Call Me Jeeg Robot."
Turns out, Marinelli's collaboration with Kojima was a serendipitous affair. Kojima first took notice of Marinelli's acting prowess in "They Call Me Jeeg Robot," and was later completely captivated by his performance in the 2019 film "Martin Eden."
When Kojima was helping promote "Martin Eden" in Japan, he received a letter from the film's distributor. Marinelli had read Kojima's review and wanted to express his gratitude personally. Marinelli later emailed Kojima, revealing, "I grew up playing 'Metal Gear.' It's an immense honor for you to watch a film starring me."
When it came to casting "Neil" for "Death Stranding 2," Kojima needed an actor who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Mads Mikkelsen's "Cliff" from the first game. After seeing Marinelli in "The Old Guard," Kojima knew he had found his man for this pivotal role.
Fans were quick to point out the striking resemblance between "Neil" and the legendary "Solid Snake" from the "Metal Gear" series. And it's not just a coincidence! Back in 2020, Kojima himself remarked that "Marinelli with a bandana is a dead ringer for Solid Snake." Now, it seems that vision has come to life in "Death Stranding 2 On The Beach."
"Death Stranding 2 On The Beach" is slated for an exclusive PlayStation 5 release on June 2, 2025.