Kojima Productions recently unveiled a captivating 10-minute trailer for Death Stranding 2 at SXSW, introducing a blend of returning stars and fresh faces. Among the newcomers is the Italian actor Luca Marinelli, who not only brings a new character to life but also draws striking parallels to Hideo Kojima's iconic creation, Solid Snake from the Metal Gear Solid series.

Who is Luca Marinelli playing in Death Stranding 2?

Luca Marinelli portrays the character Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Known predominantly for his work in Italian cinema, Marinelli gained recognition among English-speaking audiences for his role as the immortal mercenary Nicky in Netflix's The Old Guard. In the trailer, Neil is initially seen in an interrogation room, confronting accusations of unspecified crimes. He insists he was merely carrying out "dirty work" for a man in a suit, who forcefully asserts that Neil must continue working for him. 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?

The concept of brain-dead pregnant women ties directly to the lore of the original Death Stranding. In the first game, the protagonist Sam Porter Bridges, played by Norman Reedus, carries a Bridge Baby (BB) in a glowing orange flask. BBs are fetuses extracted from brain-dead mothers, existing in a state between life and death, enabling them to detect Beached Things (BTs), malevolent entities that can cause catastrophic Voidouts. The trailer suggests that Neil's smuggling is linked to covert government experiments on BBs, despite the official cessation of such research following a disastrous Voidout in Manhattan.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

How Death Stranding 2 connects to Metal Gear Solid

Will there be another Kojima Metal Gear Solid game?

It's highly unlikely that Hideo Kojima will return to the Metal Gear Solid series following his departure from Konami. However, his latest work on Death Stranding 2 demonstrates a clear influence from his past projects, integrating Metal Gear themes into the new narrative. The sequel promises to expand on the original's universe with diverse settings and a stronger focus on combat, bringing it closer to the spirit of Metal Gear Solid while forging its own unique path.