DEATH STRANDING 2's Mysterious Character Neil Has Solid Snake Energy; Hideo Kojima Explains Casting

Hideo Kojima has opened up about the casting of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’s mysterious new character, Neil, who sparked interest in the latest trailer thanks to his uncanny resemblance to Metal Gear Solid’s Solid Snake.

While the trailer also revealed the game’s release date of June 26, 2025, much of the buzz has centered on Italian actor Luca Marinelli, who plays Neil. Now, Kojima has shared the story behind Marinelli’s casting and why he was the only choice for the role.

Kojima first noticed Marinelli when he watched the 2015 Italian superhero film They Call Me Jeeg. A few years later, in 2020, he was asked to help promote Marinelli’s film Martin Eden in Japan, which led to the two connecting. Marinelli, a longtime Metal Gear fan, was honored:

"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."

So, when it came time to cast the character Neil, Kojima already knew who he wanted: "I decided that Luca was the only choice for the role."

Neil’s presence in the trailer immediately sparked comparisons to Mads Mikkelsen’s Cliff from the first game. Kojima has now confirmed that Neil is meant to fill that same role in the sequel, but he had one key requirement in mind when casting:

"Neil would be an important role that replaces Cliff from DS1. The fans would not be satisfied unless the casting would surpass Mads."

That’s a high bar, considering Mikkelsen is an incredibly talented actor and his performance as Cliff was one of the original game’s biggest highlights. But Kojima clearly has full confidence in Marinelli’s ability to bring something new and powerful to the character.

Another major character introduced in the trailer is Lucy, who shares several scenes with Neil. Kojima revealed that Marinelli played a role in casting her, suggesting his wife, Alissa Jung, for the part.

With Neil and Lucy appearing to have a deep connection in the game, casting a real-life couple seems like it would make sense. Interestingly, both actors committed to the project before there was even a script: "They signed on when we didn't even have a script yet."

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach sees the return of Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, Nicolas Winding Refn, and Guillermo del Toro, while introducing newcomers Elle Fanning, George Miller, Fatih Akin, and Shioli Kutsuna.

The logline reads: “Eleven months after the birth of the UCA servers line the beach. Deliveries have been automated. A Plate gate connects the continents. A new ship ride the tar currents. Currents the shake the Earth. A mysterious faction spreads. Chiralium warps the environment. The unending sixth extinction. A final journey with the dead.”