Death Stranding 2: On the Beach's latest trailer unveiled a wealth of new information, including a casting choice that's sparked considerable excitement due to the character's striking resemblance to Solid Snake. The selection process itself was particularly noteworthy, as director Hideo Kojima aimed to find an actor who could surpass the impact of Mads Mikkelsen's performance in the first Death Stranding.

Kojima detailed the casting of Italian actor Luca Marinelli as Neil on X/Twitter. He explained that during the pandemic, while casting for DS2, the search for someone to fill the significant role of Neil—a character replacing Cliff from the first game—was paramount. The challenge was immense; anything less than surpassing Mads Mikkelsen wouldn't satisfy fans.

Kojima initially discovered Marinelli through his performance in They Call Me Jeeg. Their connection deepened following the Japanese distribution of Martin Eden, where Marinelli proactively reached out to Kojima via email, expressing his lifelong admiration for Metal Gear and Kojima's work.

Death Stranding 2 - Release Date Trailer Screenshots

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Following Marinelli's performance in The Old Guard, Kojima extended an offer. After Marinelli completed filming The Eight Mountains, they discussed the role. Marinelli not only accepted but also introduced Kojima to his wife, Alissa Jung, for the role of Lucy. Their performance capture sessions, conducted during the pandemic, were remarkably successful. Kojima praised their on-set work, evident even in the short glimpses shown in the trailer.

Marinelli's portrayal of Neil is already a highlight of the Death Stranding 2 trailer. The final scene, showcasing Neil sporting a bandanna reminiscent of Solid Snake and commanding soldiers in a manner similar to Cliff from the first game, has fueled much speculation.

Death Stranding 2 Cast

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Kojima's fascination with Marinelli and the bandanna imagery dates back to 2020, when he publicly noted Marinelli's resemblance to Solid Snake if he were to wear one. While Neil is unlikely to be a multiversal Snake, the visual parallels undeniably evoke Kojima's Metal Gear legacy. For a deeper dive, see IGN's article: "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.