The latest trailer for *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach* has sent waves through the gaming community, not least because of the casting of Italian actor Luca Marinelli as Neil, a character who strikingly echoes the iconic Solid Snake from the Metal Gear series. Director Hideo Kojima's meticulous approach to casting this pivotal role, aiming to surpass the impact of Mads Mikkelsen's Cliff from the original *Death Stranding*, underscores the high expectations set for the sequel.
In a detailed post on X/Twitter, Kojima shared insights into the casting process. He first noticed Marinelli in the Italian film *They Call Me Jeeg* and later connected with him during the Japanese distribution of *Martin Eden*. Marinelli, a self-proclaimed fan of Kojima's work, particularly the *Metal Gear* series, reached out directly, expressing his admiration and honor at being noticed by the acclaimed director.
Death Stranding 2 - Release Date Trailer Screenshots
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Kojima's interest in Marinelli deepened after seeing his performance in *The Old Guard*. He extended an offer via email and met with Marinelli after the actor finished filming *The Eight Mountains*. Marinelli not only accepted the role but also introduced Kojima to his wife, Alissa Jung, who was cast as Lucy. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, both actors underwent performance capture, delivering impressive results that are evident even in the brief glimpses shown in the trailer.
Neil, portrayed by Marinelli, has quickly become a focal point of the trailer, especially with his bandanna-wearing moment reminiscent of Solid Snake, and his leadership style echoing Cliff's from the first game. Kojima's vision for Neil, including the bandanna imagery, was something he had been contemplating since 2020, when he first remarked on Marinelli's potential to embody a character akin to Solid Snake.
Death Stranding 2 Cast
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While Neil isn't a direct reincarnation of Solid Snake, the visual cues and Kojima's history with the *Metal Gear* franchise certainly evoke a sense of nostalgia and anticipation. Fans are eager to see how Marinelli's performance will measure up to the legacy of Kojima's previous works. For a deeper dive into this casting choice and its implications, check out IGN's feature, "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, and will be available exclusively on PlayStation 5.
