The latest trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has sparked significant interest, particularly due to the casting of Italian actor Luca Marinelli as Neil, a character whose appearance and style evoke the iconic Solid Snake from the Metal Gear series. Director Hideo Kojima shared insights into the casting process on X/Twitter, revealing the lengths he went to find an actor who could surpass the impact of Mads Mikkelsen's Cliff from the original Death Stranding.

Kojima first noticed Marinelli in the Italian film They Call Me Jeeg, and their connection deepened around the Japanese release of Martin Eden. Marinelli, a fan of Kojima's work, especially the Metal Gear series, reached out directly, expressing his admiration and honor at Kojima's interest in his work.

Death Stranding 2 - Release Date Trailer Screenshots

42 ImagesImpressed by Marinelli's performance in The Old Guard, Kojima offered him the role of Neil. During the height of the pandemic, both Marinelli and his wife, Alissa Jung, who was cast as Lucy, underwent performance capture. Kojima praised their dedication, noting that their performances shone through even in the brief glimpses shown in the trailer.

Neil's introduction in the trailer has been a standout moment, culminating in him donning a bandanna reminiscent of Solid Snake and leading a squad of soldiers, much like Cliff did in the first game. This imagery has been on Kojima's mind since 2020 when he remarked that Marinelli would be a "spitting image of Solid Snake" if he wore a bandanna.

Death Stranding 2 Cast

14 ImagesWhile Neil isn't a direct homage to Solid Snake, the visual cues certainly nod to Kojima's storied history with the Metal Gear franchise. Fans are eager to see how Marinelli's portrayal will resonate, especially given the high bar set by Mikkelsen's performance in the first game.

For a deeper dive into the casting and its implications, check out IGN's feature, "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 is slated for release on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5.