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

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 depicted in an interrogation, seemingly trying to sever ties with a mysterious employer. Later, a scene with Lucy (played by Marinelli's wife, Alissa Jung) reveals Neil's involvement in smuggling—brain-dead pregnant women.

Wait, Brain-Dead Pregnant Women?

This ties directly to the Bridge Babies (BBs) from the first Death Stranding. BBs, seven-month fetuses from brain-dead mothers, are crucial for detecting Beached Things (BTs), malevolent spirits. The US government's discontinued BB research, following a devastating Voidout in Manhattan, appears to have continued secretly, with Neil acting as a smuggler for this illegal operation.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

While Neil isn't Solid Snake, the striking visual similarity, particularly when Neil wears a bandana, is intentional. Kojima himself previously commented on Marinelli's resemblance to Snake. The connection is a deliberate reference, not a direct inclusion of the character.

How Death Stranding 2 Connects to Metal Gear Solid

The trailer's numerous nods to Metal Gear Solid go beyond visual similarities. Neil's eventual transformation into a Beached being, leading an army of undead soldiers, mirrors Cliff Unger's fate in the first game. The trailer's focus on the resurgence of US gun culture echoes Metal Gear's recurring themes of weapon proliferation and its destabilizing effect on humanity. This thematic resonance, coupled with Neil's potential metaphysical representation of Snake's enduring "soul," suggests a deeper artistic connection. The appearance of a colossal BT-enhanced vessel, reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid V's Sahelanthropus, further strengthens this link.

The trailer's cinematic style, mirroring the epic scale of Metal Gear Solid V's Red Band trailer, underscores Kojima's continued engagement with the themes and aesthetics of his previous masterpiece.

Will There Be Another Kojima Metal Gear Solid Game?

The likelihood of another Kojima-helmed Metal Gear Solid game is slim. However, Death Stranding 2 serves as a powerful testament to the enduring influence of Metal Gear Solid on Kojima's creative vision. With expanded environments and a greater emphasis on combat, Death Stranding 2 feels like a spiritual successor, even if it doesn't carry the same title.