The latest trailer for *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach* has sent ripples through the gaming community, especially with the introduction of a character who exudes unmistakable Solid Snake vibes. This character, Neil, played by Italian actor Luca Marinelli, has become a focal point of excitement and speculation. Director Hideo Kojima revealed on X/Twitter the intricate process of casting Marinelli, emphasizing that Neil's role is pivotal, meant to replace the iconic Cliff from the first *Death Stranding*. Kojima set a high bar, stating, "The fans would not be satisfied unless the casting would surpass Mads," referring to Mads Mikkelsen's performance as Cliff.
Kojima first noticed Marinelli in the Italian film *They Call Me Jeeg* and their connection deepened around the Japanese distribution of *Martin Eden*. Marinelli reached out to Kojima with a heartfelt email, expressing his admiration: "I grew up with Metal Gear. I am a big fan of yours. I am very honored that you saw the film I starred in. I wanted to tell you this directly." This personal touch undoubtedly played a role in Kojima's decision. After seeing Marinelli's work in *The Old Guard*, Kojima extended an offer, and they discussed the role after Marinelli finished filming *The Eight Mountains*. Marinelli not only accepted but also introduced Kojima to his wife, Alissa Jung, who joined the project as Lucy.
Death Stranding 2 - Release Date Trailer Screenshots
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The casting process was challenging, especially during the height of the pandemic, but Kojima praised the performances of both Marinelli and Jung. "We did their scan and pcap [performance capture] during the height of the pandemic, but their on-set performance was excellent," Kojima remarked. "You can see that in the digitized results from even the small bits of the trailer. I can only thank Luca and Alissa for agreeing to perform when we didn't even have a script yet."
Neil's introduction in the latest trailer has been a standout moment, particularly with his bandanna—a clear nod to Solid Snake from *Metal Gear Solid*. As Neil directs a squad of soldiers in a manner reminiscent of Cliff, fans are buzzing about the potential connections to Kojima's storied past with the *Metal Gear* franchise. While Neil isn't likely a multiversal version of Snake, the imagery is undeniably evocative.
Death Stranding 2 Cast
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Kojima has been mulling over this casting for a while, hinting back in 2020 that Marinelli could be the perfect fit for a Snake-like character. "I think if he donned a bandanna, he'd be a spitting image of Solid Snake!" he mused. With Marinelli's portrayal of Neil, it seems Kojima has found his man. 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 to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5. Fans are eagerly awaiting this next chapter in Kojima's visionary universe.
