Kojima Productions unveiled a captivating 10-minute trailer for Death Stranding 2 at SXSW, introducing a fresh face alongside familiar ones like Norman Reedus and Léa Seydoux. This newcomer, Luca Marinelli, plays Neil, a character whose presence hints at a significant connection to Kojima's past work.

Who is Luca Marinelli Playing in Death Stranding 2?

Marinelli portrays Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. While primarily known for Italian-language films, English-speaking audiences might recognize him as Nicky from Netflix's The Old Guard. The trailer depicts Neil in an interrogation, seemingly betraying his employer, a powerful figure in a suit. Later, a scene with Lucy (played by Marinelli's wife, Alissa Jung) reveals Neil's involvement in smuggling: brain-dead pregnant women.

Wait, Brain-Dead Pregnant Women?

Recall the Bridge Babies (BBs) from the first Death Stranding—fetuses from brain-dead mothers, crucial for detecting Beached Things (BTs). The US government's discontinued BB experiments, resulting in a Manhattan-leveling Voidout, are seemingly continuing in secret, with Neil as the smuggler, presumably for the government's illegal research.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

The trailer's final shot of Neil with a bandana bears an uncanny resemblance to Solid Snake. While not actually Snake—the universes remain separate—the visual similarity is intentional. Kojima himself previously noted Marinelli's resemblance to Snake, making this a deliberate homage.

How Death Stranding 2 Connects to Metal Gear Solid

The connection extends beyond visual nods. Neil's eventual Beached state, mirroring Cliff Unger's fate, and the trailer's focus on the resurgence of US gun culture, directly echo Metal Gear's anti-armament themes. Neil's appearance could even be interpreted as a metaphysical manifestation of Snake's spirit, trapped within the Death Stranding universe. The trailer also features Heartman combining the DHV Magellan with a colossal BT, reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid 5's Sahalanthropus.

The cinematic scale of the trailer itself mirrors the epic Red Band trailer for Metal Gear Solid 5, further emphasizing the thematic and stylistic links.

Will There Be Another Kojima Metal Gear Solid Game?

While a new Kojima-led Metal Gear Solid game is unlikely, Death Stranding 2 serves as a powerful testament to his enduring fascination with the themes and imagery of his previous masterpiece. With expanded environments and a greater emphasis on combat, Death Stranding 2 feels like a spiritual successor, even if it doesn't bear the Metal Gear name.