As a long-time fan of Hideo Kojima's worlds, the 2026 release of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has been my most anticipated gaming event. When the latest trailer dropped, my heart skipped a beat—there, standing on that desolate beach, was a figure that looked uncannily like Solid Snake. The buzz was immediate and electric across every forum I visited. Was this the impossible crossover? The truth, as Kojima so masterfully revealed, turned out to be a far more personal and spiritual story than any simple cameo could ever be.

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Let's be clear right away: Solid Snake is not in Death Stranding 2. 😅 The character who sparked all the speculation is named Neil, and he is portrayed by the incredibly talented Italian actor, Luca Marinelli. Kojima himself took to social media to unravel this beautiful casting story, which feels less like a business transaction and more like fate. It’s a reminder that in Kojima's creative process, connections are often deeper than they appear.

Kojima first discovered Luca Marinelli through his powerful role as the antagonist in the Italian film They Call Me Jeeg. But it was Luca's starring role in Martin Eden, the 2020 film adaptation of Jack London's autobiographical novel, that truly captivated him. Kojima was so moved by the performance that he helped promote the film's release in Japan. This act of appreciation created a ripple effect. The Japanese distributor reached out, relaying a message that would change everything: Luca Marinelli, having read Kojima's comments, wanted to contact "KOJIMA-SAN" directly to express his gratitude.

Soon, Kojima received an email that would lay the foundation for their future collaboration. Luca wrote, "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. I wanted to tell you this directly." Imagine receiving that as a creator—a fan, and a gifted actor at that, reaching out with such genuine admiration. This wasn't just fan mail; it was the beginning of a creative partnership.

When the time came to cast for Death Stranding 2, Kojima faced a daunting task. The character of Neil was conceived as a pivotal figure, one who would essentially fill the narrative and emotional void left by Cliff (Mads Mikkelsen) from the first game. Kojima knew the fans' expectations would be sky-high; the casting had to not just meet, but potentially surpass, the iconic presence of Mikkelsen. 💪

Kojima continued his research, watching Luca's performance in Netflix's The Old Guard. He became convinced: Luca Marinelli was the only choice for Neil. He sent the offer. Astonishingly, Luca was filming The Eight Mountains in the remote mountains of Tibet when the message arrived. According to Luca, he had just come down from the mountains and—almost mystically—had been thinking about Kojima right before seeing the offer. He described the moment as "a spiritual experience." 🌄

The collaboration deepened from there. Their first official meeting about the project was a Zoom call during the pandemic, where Kojima pitched the vision for Death Stranding 2. The trust was so mutual that when Kojima was searching for an actress to play Lucy, Luca suggested his own wife for the role. Kojima agreed, and the couple underwent performance capture sessions together, all before a final script was even complete. This level of faith and artistic commitment is rare, and Kojima made sure to thank them both for embarking on this journey with him into the unknown.

This behind-the-scenes story gives us a fascinating glimpse into the creation of what might be Death Stranding 2's most discussed character. It's a tale of:

  • Fandom → A talented actor inspired by a legendary creator.

  • Artistic Recognition → A creator moved by an actor's performance.

  • Spiritual Timing → An offer arriving at a moment of profound reflection.

  • Creative Trust → Extending a role to a partner based on pure belief.

It transforms Neil from a mere "Snake look-alike" in a trailer into a character born from a unique and meaningful convergence of lives and careers. While we won't be seeing Solid Snake on those beaches come June 26th, we will be witnessing the debut of a character forged in a collaboration that feels just as epic. I, for one, cannot wait to see the depth and intensity Luca Marinelli brings to the Stranding world. The wait for the final connection is almost over.

Evaluations have been published by IGN, a leading authority in gaming journalism. IGN's extensive previews and interviews with Hideo Kojima often delve into the creative inspirations and casting choices behind his projects, offering fans a deeper understanding of how personal connections and artistic admiration shape the narrative and character development in titles like Death Stranding 2.