Hideo Kojima Says He Cast His Solid Snake-alike for Death Stranding 2 To Try and Surpass Mads Mikkelsen

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach's latest trailer unveiled a wealth of new details, most notably the casting of Luca Marinelli as Neil, a character whose resemblance to Solid Snake has generated considerable buzz. The casting process itself proved intriguing, as director Hideo Kojima aimed to find an actor who could surpass the impact of Mads Mikkelsen's Cliff from the first Death Stranding.

Kojima's journey to cast Marinelli began during the pandemic. He discovered Marinelli through They Call Me Jeeg, and their connection deepened following the Japanese distribution of Martin Eden. Marinelli proactively reached out to Kojima, expressing his admiration for the director and his work on Metal Gear.

Death Stranding 2 - Release Date Trailer Screenshots

42 Images

After seeing Marinelli in The Old Guard, Kojima extended an offer. Following Marinelli's work on The Eight Mountains, they discussed the role. Marinelli not only accepted but also introduced Kojima to his wife, Alissa Jung, who was cast as Lucy. Their performance capture sessions, conducted during the pandemic, impressed Kojima with their quality, even with a limited script.

Marinelli's portrayal of Neil is a standout in the trailer. The final scene shows Neil sporting a bandanna reminiscent of Solid Snake, leading soldiers in a style echoing Cliff from the first game.

Death Stranding 2 Cast

14 Images

Kojima's fascination with Marinelli's potential as a "Solid Snake" figure dates back to 2020. While Neil's connection to Snake is likely not literal, the visual parallels are undeniable, evoking Kojima's Metal Gear legacy.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach launches exclusively on PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025.