Kojima Productions unveiled a captivating 10-minute trailer for Death Stranding 2 at SXSW, introducing a new face alongside familiar ones like Norman Reedus and Léa Seydoux. This newcomer, Luca Marinelli, plays Neil, and his 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. Known for roles in Italian cinema and as Nicky in Netflix's The Old Guard, Marinelli's Neil is initially seen in an interrogation, seemingly attempting to sever ties with a mysterious figure in a suit. Later, a scene with Bridges employee Lucy (played by Marinelli's wife, Alissa Jung), reveals a romantic relationship and Neil's involvement in smuggling brain-dead pregnant women.

Wait, Brain-Dead Pregnant Women?

This echoes the original Death Stranding's Bridge Babies (BBs)—fetuses from brain-dead mothers used to detect Beached Things (BTs). The US government's past experiments with BBs, culminating in a devastating Voidout in Manhattan, are alluded to. Neil's smuggling operation suggests a continuation of this illegal research.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

The trailer's final shot of Neil with a bandana bears a striking resemblance to Solid Snake. While not explicitly Solid Snake (the universes remain separate), the visual similarity is intentional. Kojima's 2020 Instagram post mentioning Marinelli and his resemblance to Snake, wearing a bandana, foreshadowed this visual connection.

How Death Stranding 2 Connects to Metal Gear Solid

The trailer's Metal Gear references extend beyond Neil's appearance. Neil's transformation into a Beached being, leading an undead army, mirrors Cliff Unger from the first game. The narrator's mention of the resurgence of gun culture on a "new continent" echoes Metal Gear's themes of weapon proliferation and its destabilizing effect on humanity. This anti-armament stance is prominent throughout Kojima's work, even influencing the possibility of non-lethal playthroughs in some Metal Gear games. Neil could be interpreted as a metaphysical "version" of Solid Snake, his soul trapped within the Death Stranding universe, further emphasized by a skull-like flash of Neil's face in the trailer.

Furthermore, Heartman's combination of the DHV Magellan ship with a colossal BT to create a bio-robotic giant recalls Metal Gear Solid 5's Sahalanthropus. The cinematic scale and length of the trailer also mirrors the Red Band trailer for Metal Gear Solid 5.

Will There Be Another Kojima Metal Gear Solid Game?

The likelihood of another Kojima-directed Metal Gear Solid game is slim, given his departure from Konami. However, Death Stranding 2, through its visuals, themes, and gameplay, serves as a spiritual successor, drawing heavily on the legacy of Metal Gear Solid while forging its own path. The sequel's expanded environments and combat emphasis suggest an even grander scope than its predecessor.