DEATH STRANDING Animated Movie Hires PRISONERS Writer Aaron Guzikowski To Write The Script

The mysterious world of Death Stranding is officially expanding, and it just found the perfect storyteller to take it further. Deadline has confirmed that screenwriter Aaron Guzikowski, known for writing Denis Villeneuve’s Prisoners and creating the eerie HBO Max series Raised by Wolves, will write the upcoming animated Death Stranding movie.

Guzikowski’s work leans heavily into slow-burn tension, atmosphere, and big existential questions, which is exactly the kind of vibe that makes sense for anything coming out ofHideo Kojima’s brain. With previous credits like The Red Road and a history of crafting rich, moody worlds, his style seems like a strong match for Death Stranding’s haunting, post-apocalyptic aesthetic.

According to the report, this new film isn’t just retelling the game. Instead, it will “tell an original story” within the same universe. That means fans can expect new characters and plotlines set against the same haunting backdrop of fractured America and invisible threats.

The animation is being handled by Line Mileage, a studio with experience in turning game worlds into compelling animated storytelling. Their recent work includes Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft and Castlevania, both praised for treating their source material with care while delivering bold, stylized visuals and mature storytelling.

Kojima Productions remains heavily involved in shaping the animated film’s direction, and Kojima himself has already confirmed the project is deep in production. “We’re working on it,” he said in an interview a few weeks back, adding that the team is building something unique for fans.

This isn’t the only Death Stranding adaptation in the works. There’s also a separate live-action movie being developed, with A Quiet Place: Day One director Michael Sarnoski attached. And of course, the game franchise itself isn’t slowing down with Death Stranding 2: On the Beach set to drop in 2025.