The latest trailer for *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach* has set the gaming community abuzz, particularly with the introduction of a character that echoes the iconic Solid Snake. Director Hideo Kojima took to X/Twitter to share the intriguing journey of casting Italian actor Luca Marinelli as Neil, a pivotal role intended to surpass the impact of Cliff from the original game. "During the pandemic, I was casting for DS2," Kojima explained. "Neil would be an important role that replaces Cliff from DS1. The fans would not be satisfied unless the casting would surpass Mads."
Kojima's interest in Marinelli was sparked by the actor's performance in the Italian film *They Call Me Jeeg*. Their connection deepened through correspondence regarding the Japanese distribution of *Martin Eden*. In a heartfelt email, Marinelli expressed his admiration: "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."
Death Stranding 2 - Release Date Trailer Screenshots
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Impressed by Marinelli's work in *The Old Guard*, Kojima reached out with an offer and later discussed the role after Marinelli finished filming *The Eight Mountains*. Marinelli, keen to contribute, also introduced Kojima to his wife, Alissa Jung, for the role of Lucy. "We did their scan and pcap [performance capture] during the height of the pandemic, but their on-set performance was excellent," Kojima noted. "You can see that in the digitized results from even the small bits of the trailer. I can only thank Luca and Alissa for agreeing to perform when we didn't even have a script yet."
Neil, portrayed by Marinelli, has become a highlight of the *Death Stranding 2* trailer. The character's bandanna, reminiscent of Solid Snake's from *Metal Gear Solid*, and his command over a squad of soldiers, echoing Cliff's role in the first game, have captivated fans. Kojima had previously mentioned in 2020 how Marinelli's potential to wear a bandanna made him a striking resemblance to Solid Snake: "I think if he donned a bandanna, he'd be a spitting image of Solid Snake!"
Death Stranding 2 Cast
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While Neil isn't a multiversal incarnation of Solid Snake, the imagery undeniably nods to Kojima's storied history with the *Metal Gear* franchise. With careful casting and compelling visuals, Kojima appears to have found the perfect fit in Marinelli. For deeper insights, check out 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*.
*Death Stranding 2: On the Beach* is slated for release on June 26, 2025, and will be available exclusively on PlayStation 5.
