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 recently unveiled a captivating 10-minute trailer for *Death Stranding 2* at SXSW, and fans of the series were treated to familiar faces like Norman Reedus and Lea Seydoux reprising their roles. However, the trailer introduced a new character, played by Italian actor Luca Marinelli, who is set to make a significant impact in the *Death Stranding* universe. Marinelli's role as Neil in *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach* has sparked comparisons to Hideo Kojima’s iconic character, Solid Snake, from the *Metal Gear Solid* series.

Luca Marinelli, known for his roles in Italian films and as Nicky in Netflix's *The Old Guard*, steps into the shoes of Neil in *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach*. The trailer opens with Neil in an interrogation room, facing accusations from a man in a suit. Neil claims he was merely doing the "dirty work" for this mysterious figure, hinting at a strained working relationship. The man insists that Neil has no choice but to continue his tasks.

The scene shifts to Neil conversing with a Bridges employee named Lucy, played by Marinelli’s real-life wife, Alissa Jung. Their dialogue suggests a romantic connection and reveals Neil's involvement in smuggling cargo—specifically, brain-dead pregnant women.

Wait, brain-dead pregnant women?

The concept of brain-dead pregnant women ties back to the original *Death Stranding*. Norman Reedus's character, Sam Porter Bridges, carries a Bridge Baby (BB), a fetus extracted from a brain-dead mother to communicate with the world of the dead and detect Beached Things (BTs), malevolent souls causing catastrophic Voidouts. The US Government had previously experimented with BBs, but the program was discontinued after a disastrous Voidout in Manhattan. Neil's smuggling activities suggest that these experiments continue covertly, likely for the government's illegal research.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

The trailer concludes with Neil tying a bandana around his forehead, drawing a striking resemblance to Solid Snake. While Neil is not Solid Snake, the visual nod is intentional. Hideo Kojima has expressed admiration for Marinelli, particularly envisioning him as a perfect fit for the role of Solid Snake due to his striking appearance with a bandana. This homage connects the *Death Stranding* and *Metal Gear Solid* universes through visual cues and thematic references.

How Death Stranding 2 connects to Metal Gear Solid

The trailer does more than just reference *Metal Gear Solid*; it evokes its themes and imagery. Neil becomes a Beached Thing, similar to Cliff Unger from the first game, leading a platoon of undead warriors. The narrative touches on the resurgence of gun culture, echoing Kojima’s longstanding critique of weapon proliferation and its impact on humanity, a central theme in the *Metal Gear* series.

Moreover, Neil could be seen as a metaphysical version of Solid Snake. Beached Things are souls trapped between worlds, and with *Metal Gear* seemingly concluded, Neil might represent the lingering essence of Snake within the *Death Stranding* universe. This notion is reinforced when Neil's face momentarily turns into a skull in the trailer.

The trailer also features a scene where Heartman merges the DHV Magellan with a colossal BT, creating a bio-robotic giant reminiscent of the Sahalanthropus from *Metal Gear Solid 5*. This creature, while not directly related to nuclear weapons, aligns with the theme of catastrophic potential, akin to the Voidouts caused by BTs.

The cinematic style of the *Death Stranding 2* trailer also mirrors the epic scope of the *Metal Gear Solid 5* Red Band trailer, showcasing Kojima's flair for blending gameplay and cutscenes into a grand cinematic experience.

Will there be another Kojima Metal Gear Solid game?

It's evident that Hideo Kojima will not be returning to the *Metal Gear Solid* franchise following his departure from Konami. Future *MGS* projects, including the upcoming remake of *Metal Gear Solid 3*, will proceed without his involvement. However, the influence of *Metal Gear Solid* remains strong in Kojima's work, as seen in *Death Stranding 2*. The sequel aims to expand upon the original game's universe with more diverse settings and a focus on combat, drawing closer to the essence of a *Metal Gear Solid* experience, even if it bears a different name.