Hideo Kojima's much-anticipated spiritual successor to Metal Gear, Physint, is slated to be released in approximately "another five or six years," according to the visionary director himself. In a conversation with Le Film Francais, Kojima revealed that his ambitions to helm a movie are on pause until he completes his first "action espionage" game since his high-profile departure from Konami in 2015.
Kojima elaborated on his post-Konami journey, stating, "I've had so many offers since I left Konami, with serious conditions to develop games in my independent studio." In addition to the upcoming Death Stranding 2, Physint is another major project on his plate, expected to occupy the next half-decade of his career.
Looking towards the future, Kojima expressed a longing to eventually direct a film, saying, "But maybe after that, I could finally decide to take on a film. I grew up with cinema. Directing would be, in a way, a tribute to it. Also, I'm getting older, and I'd prefer to do it while I'm still young!"
The announcement of Physint came from PlayStation Studios boss Herman Hulst back in January 2024. Initially, Kojima hinted that Physint might also take the form of a movie, but he later clarified on X/Twitter that the project would push the boundaries of 'Digital Entertainment' with elements like "look, story, theme, cast, acting, fashion, sound, etc… [being] at the next level of ‘Digital Entertainment’ that could be called a ‘movie.’"
Kojima Productions is juggling multiple high-profile projects. Alongside Physint, they are working on Death Stranding 2 and a new IP titled OD, in collaboration with Xbox Game Studios, featuring actress Hunter Schafer and filmmaker Jordan Peele. Additionally, Kojima is involved in A24's film adaptation of the original Death Stranding.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is set to launch next month on June 26. In a recent interview with IGN, the franchise's star, Norman Reedus, teased his involvement in the upcoming film adaptation, confidently stating, "of course" he would reprise his role.
Kojima's creative output extends beyond these projects. Last week, he shared insights into discarded video game ideas, including a concept for a 'Forgetting Game' where the protagonist loses important information and abilities if the player takes too long a break. In a touching gesture, Kojima also revealed that he had left a USB stick filled with game ideas for his staff to explore after his passing.
