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 fresh face alongside familiar ones like Norman Reedus and Léa Seydoux. This newcomer, Luca Marinelli, plays Neil, a character whose resemblance to Solid Snake is striking and undeniably intentional.

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 seen in an interrogation, seemingly attempting to sever ties with a mysterious figure who forces him to continue his work: smuggling brain-dead pregnant women. A later scene hints at a romantic relationship with Lucy, a Bridges employee played by Marinelli's wife, Alissa Jung.

Wait, Brain-Dead Pregnant Women?

This recalls the Bridge Babies (BBs) from the first game—fetuses from brain-dead mothers, crucial for detecting BTs (Beached Things). The US government's discontinued BB research, which culminated in a devastating Voidout in Manhattan, is seemingly continued in secret, with Neil as a key player in this illicit operation.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

While Neil isn't Solid Snake, the visual similarity, particularly when Neil ties a bandana around his head, is deliberate. Kojima's 2020 Instagram post mentioning Marinelli and his resemblance to Snake foreshadowed this. The universes remain separate, but the visual homage is undeniable.

How Death Stranding 2 Connects to Metal Gear Solid

The connection goes beyond mere visual cues. Neil's transformation into a Beached being, leading an undead army, echoes Cliff Unger from the first game. The trailer's focus on the resurgence of American gun culture mirrors Metal Gear's recurring theme of weapon proliferation and its destabilizing effect on humanity. Neil’s existence could even be interpreted as a metaphysical "version" of Snake, a soul trapped within the Death Stranding universe. The trailer also features a colossal BT-Magellan hybrid reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid 5's Sahelanthropus.

The trailer's cinematic style, reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid 5's Red Band trailer, further reinforces the connection.

Will There Be Another Kojima Metal Gear Solid Game?

While a new Kojima-led Metal Gear Solid game is unlikely, the influence of the series on Death Stranding 2 is undeniable. Kojima's vision for the sequel is grander, featuring diverse environments and a stronger emphasis on combat. The result is a game that, while distinct, draws heavily on the themes and aesthetics of his Metal Gear legacy.