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Kojima Unveils New 'Solid Snake': Death Stranding 2 Echoes Metal Gear Solid

by Violet Mar 27,2025

Kojima Productions unveiled an exciting 10-minute trailer for Death Stranding 2 at SXSW, showcasing both familiar and new faces. Among the returning stars like Norman Reedus and Léa Seydoux, a fresh character portrayed by Luca Marinelli caught everyone's attention. Marinelli, best known to English-speaking audiences for his role as Nicky in Netflix's The Old Guard, steps into the shoes of Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. His portrayal hints at a complex role within the game's universe, potentially marking him as Kojima's new iconic figure, reminiscent of Solid Snake from the Metal Gear Solid series.

Who is Luca Marinelli playing in Death Stranding 2?

Luca Marinelli lends his voice and likeness to the character Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. In the trailer, Neil is first seen in an interrogation room, accused of unspecified crimes by a man in a suit. Neil claims he was merely doing the "dirty work" for this man, hinting at a strained working relationship. The scene shifts to Neil conversing with Lucy, a Bridges employee played by Marinelli's real-life wife, Alissa Jung, suggesting a romantic connection and revealing Neil's involvement in smuggling brain-dead pregnant women.

Wait, brain-dead pregnant women?

This aspect ties back to the original Death Stranding, where the concept of Bridge Babies (BBs) was introduced. BBs, seven-month fetuses extracted from brain-dead mothers, exist in a limbo state that allows them to interact with the world of the dead, aiding in detecting Beached Things (BTs). Neil's smuggling activities seem to be facilitating secret US government experiments on BBs, despite the official discontinuation of such research after a catastrophic event in Manhattan.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

Image of Neil with a bandana, reminiscent of Solid Snake

Image credit: Kojima Productions

The trailer concludes with Neil donning a bandana, strikingly similar to Solid Snake from the Metal Gear Solid series. While Neil is not Solid Snake, the visual nod is intentional. Hideo Kojima has openly admired Marinelli's resemblance to Snake, suggesting a deliberate homage to his previous work. This connection is further emphasized by Kojima's past comments on social media, where he noted Marinelli's potential to embody the iconic character.

How Death Stranding 2 connects to Metal Gear Solid

Neil and his undead troops

Neil and his undead troops. Image credit: Kojima Productions

The trailer for Death Stranding 2 is rich with references to Metal Gear Solid. Neil's transformation into a Beached Thing, akin to a soldier with undead warriors, echoes themes from the Metal Gear series about weapon proliferation and its impact on humanity. Additionally, the trailer features a bio-robotic giant reminiscent of the Sahalanthropus from Metal Gear Solid 5, further bridging the two worlds.

A Metal Gear-like creature in Death Stranding 2

A Metal Gear-like creature in Death Stranding 2. Image credit: Kojima Production

The cinematic quality of the trailer also mirrors the style seen in the Metal Gear Solid 5 Red Band trailer, showcasing Kojima's consistent approach to storytelling and character presentation.

Will there be another Kojima Metal Gear Solid game?

With Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami, it's highly unlikely we'll see another Metal Gear Solid game from him. However, the themes and imagery from the series clearly influence his current projects. Death Stranding 2 reflects this influence, expanding its scope with diverse environments and an increased focus on combat, drawing it closer to the essence of Metal Gear Solid without sharing its name.

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