# **Hideo Kojima Addresses Solid Snake Likeness in *Death Stranding 2: On The Beach***

The recent trailer for *Death Stranding 2: On The Beach* has generated buzz among fans, especially with the debut of a new character portrayed by Italian actor Luca Marinelli. Many viewers promptly noticed Marinelli’s notable resemblance to Solid Snake, the iconic lead from Hideo Kojima’s *Metal Gear Solid* franchise. In light of the speculation, Kojima has now responded to the casting choice and provided reasoning behind selecting Marinelli for the part.

## **Luca Marinelli as Neil: The Casting Choice**

In a recent update on X (previously Twitter), Kojima shared his admiration for Marinelli’s talent, which influenced his choice to cast him as Neil in *Death Stranding 2: On The Beach*. Kojima first encountered Marinelli through his role as the villain Fabio Cannizzaro (Zingaro) in the Italian superhero flick *They Call Me Jeeg*. Nonetheless, it was Marinelli’s performance in *Martin Eden*, a cinematic rendition of Jack London’s novel, that truly captivated Kojima and solidified his desire to collaborate with the actor.

Kojima also disclosed that Marinelli had personally contacted him, conveying his sincere appreciation for *Metal Gear Solid* and Kojima’s oeuvre. In his correspondence, Marinelli expressed:

> “I grew up with *Metal Gear*. I am a big admirer of yours. I am very honoured that you noticed the film I took part in. I wanted to express this to you personally.”

This touching note seemingly influenced Kojima’s decision to cast Marinelli, showing not only his skill but also his authentic passion for Kojima’s narrative craft.

## **Exceeding Expectations: Aiming Beyond Mads Mikkelsen**

Kojima stressed that the casting procedure for *Death Stranding 2* was essential, as he aimed to guarantee that fans would be pleased with the new characters. He acknowledged the difficulty of following Mads Mikkelsen’s praised portrayal in the original *Death Stranding*, remarking:

> “Fans would not be content unless the casting would exceed Mads.”

This remark underscores Kojima’s aspiration to elevate the sequel beyond being “merely another sequel” and to present characters that would make a significant impression on players.

## **The Role of Marinelli’s Spouse, Alissa Jung**

Interestingly, Kojima made the choice to cast Marinelli’s spouse, Alissa Jung, in the role of Lucy. He commended their chemistry on set and noted that their performances were outstanding, despite the absence of a script during casting. This decision further emphasizes Kojima’s strategy of selecting actors based on their capacity to imbue emotional richness into his characters.

## **Addressing the Solid Snake Likeness**

While Kojima did not explicitly confirm or deny any intentional resemblance between Marinelli’s character and Solid Snake, the relationship has ignited speculation among fans. Given Kojima’s background with the *Metal Gear* series and his propensity to weave in subtle references to his previous work, it’s plausible that the likeness is a thoughtful tribute. However, it remains uncertain how Neil’s character will integrate into the plot of *Death Stranding 2: On The Beach*.

## **Release Date and Final Thoughts**

*Death Stranding 2: On The Beach* is scheduled for global release on **June 26, 2025**. With Kojima’s meticulous focus on detail and his dedication to crafting distinctive storytelling experiences, fans can anticipate another introspective journey upon the game’s launch.

Regardless of whether Neil’s character has deeper connections to Kojima’s earlier creations, one thing is clear: *Death Stranding 2* is developing into yet another ambitious and cinematic endeavor from one of gaming’s most innovative creators.