Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’s latest trailer unveiled a wealth of new information, most notably the casting of Luca Marinelli as Neil, a character whose striking resemblance to Solid Snake has generated considerable buzz. The casting process itself was particularly noteworthy, as director Hideo Kojima aimed to find an actor who could surpass the impact of Mads Mikkelsen’s performance as Cliff in the first Death Stranding.
Kojima detailed the casting journey on X/Twitter, explaining that he discovered Marinelli through his role in They Call Me Jeeg. Their connection deepened following the Japanese distribution of Martin Eden, where Marinelli proactively contacted Kojima, expressing his admiration for the director and his work on Metal Gear.
Death Stranding 2 - Release Date Trailer Screenshots
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Following Marinelli’s performance in The Old Guard, Kojima extended an offer. After Marinelli completed filming The Eight Mountains, they collaborated, with Marinelli subsequently introducing Kojima to his wife, Alissa Jung, for the role of Lucy. Their performance capture sessions, conducted during the pandemic, impressed Kojima, who praised their on-set professionalism and the quality of the resulting digital performance, visible even in the trailer’s brief glimpses.
Marinelli’s portrayal of Neil is a standout element of the Death Stranding 2 trailer. The trailer culminates with Neil sporting a bandanna reminiscent of Solid Snake, leading a squad of soldiers in a manner reminiscent of Cliff from the first game.
Death Stranding 2 Cast
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Kojima’s fascination with Marinelli and the bandanna imagery dates back to 2020, when he commented on Marinelli’s potential resemblance to Solid Snake if he were to wear one. While Neil is unlikely to be a multiversal Snake, the visual parallels are undeniable, evoking Kojima’s Metal Gear legacy. For a deeper dive, IGN’s feature, “Who Is Kojima’s New ‘Solid Snake’ and Why Death Stranding 2 Looks Like the Closest We’ll Ever Get to Another Metal Gear Solid,” offers further insight.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is slated for release on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5.
