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 character, however, isn't just another addition to the Death Stranding universe; his presence hints at a fascinating connection to Kojima's iconic Metal Gear Solid series.

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, the immortal mercenary from Netflix's The Old Guard.

The trailer depicts Neil in an interrogation, accused of unspecified crimes by a suited man. Neil claims he was merely carrying out orders, attempting to sever ties with his employer, only to be met with the chilling response, "You have no choice." A subsequent scene reveals a romantic relationship with Lucy (played by Marinelli's wife, Alissa Jung), a Bridges employee. This conversation unveils Neil's illicit cargo: brain-dead pregnant women.

Wait, Brain-Dead Pregnant Women?

The original Death Stranding famously featured Sam Porter Bridges carrying a Bridge Baby (BB), a seven-month fetus extracted from a brain-dead mother. This creates a limbo state, allowing BBs to communicate with the dead and detect Beached Things (BTs)—malevolent spirits causing Voidouts, devastating events akin to nuclear explosions. Pre-game events involved government experimentation with BBs to understand Voidouts, culminating in a Manhattan-destroying Voidout that killed the US President. Neil's actions suggest a continuation of this clandestine research, likely for the US government.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

The trailer's closing shot of Neil with a bandana strikingly resembles Solid Snake, the protagonist of Kojima's Metal Gear Solid series. While Neil isn't Solid Snake (the universes remain separate), the visual similarity is deliberate. In a 2020 Instagram post, Kojima commented on Marinelli's resemblance to Snake, predicting that a bandana would complete the look—a prediction fulfilled in the trailer.

How Death Stranding 2 Connects to Metal Gear Solid

The resemblance isn't merely a playful Easter egg. The trailer heavily evokes Metal Gear. Neil's eventual Beached state, mirroring Cliff Unger from the first game, sees him leading undead soldiers. A narrator mentions the resurgence of US gun culture on a "new continent," echoing Metal Gear's recurring theme of weapon proliferation and its destabilizing effect on humanity. This anti-armament stance is reflected in several Metal Gear games offering non-lethal playthrough options.

The connection might extend to a metaphysical "version" of Solid Snake. As a Beached entity, Neil could represent Snake's artistic "death" (considering the Metal Gear franchise's apparent conclusion), trapped within the Death Stranding world. A skull-like flash of Neil's face in the trailer further reinforces this interpretation.

Further reinforcing the link, Heartman appears to combine the DHV Magellan ship with a colossal BT, creating a bio-robotic giant reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid 5's Sahelanthropus. Both the MGS machines and the Magellan (through the BT's Voidout potential) house a destructive capacity.

The trailer's cinematic style, echoing the 10-minute Red Band trailer for Metal Gear Solid 5, further emphasizes the intentional homage. Both trailers showcase characters like movie stars, blending gameplay and cutscenes in an epic presentation.

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 ended his 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 expands on the first game's scope, featuring diverse environments and a greater emphasis on combat, creating a title that, despite its different name, feels strikingly similar to a new Metal Gear Solid entry.