Kojima Casts Solid Snake Lookalike for Death Stranding 2, Aims to Outshine Mikkelsen

The latest trailer for *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach* has offered fans a deep dive into what’s coming next, sparking excitement across the gaming community. One of the most talked-about reveals centers around the casting of a new character whose aesthetic and demeanor strongly echo that of Solid Snake from the *Metal Gear* series. This wasn’t just a random choice—director Hideo Kojima was deeply involved in the casting process, aiming to find someone who could not only fill big shoes but surpass the impact of a major figure from the first game.

Kojima took to X (formerly Twitter) to share insights into how Italian actor Luca Marinelli came to be cast as Neil, a role that replaces Cliff from the original *Death Stranding*. He explained, “During the pandemic, I was casting for DS2. Neil would be an important role that replaces Cliff from DS1. The fans would not be satisfied unless the casting would surpass Mads.”

How Luca Marinelli Entered the Picture

Kojima first noticed Marinelli through his performance in the Italian film *They Call Me Jeeg*. Their connection deepened during discussions around the Japanese release of *Martin Eden*, where Marinelli reached out with a personal message: “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.”

After seeing Marinelli in *The Old Guard*, Kojima extended an invitation for him to join the project. Once Marinelli wrapped filming on *The Eight Mountains*, the two connected, and after hearing about the role of Lucy, Marinelli introduced Kojima to his wife, Alissa Jung.

Performance During a Pandemic

Kojima praised both actors for their work under unusual conditions: “We did their scan and pcap during the height of the pandemic, but their on-set performance was excellent. 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's Solid Snake Vibe

Neil, played by Marinelli, is already one of the most memorable reveals from the new trailer. In one standout moment, he dons a bandanna in a way eerily reminiscent of Solid Snake from *Metal Gear Solid*. He then directs a squad of soldiers in a manner that mirrors Cliff’s leadership in the first game, reinforcing the stylistic continuity Kojima is known for.

Long-Term Vision for the Role

Kojima had noted Marinelli’s potential years earlier, commenting back in 2020: “I think if he donned a bandanna, he'd be a spitting image of Solid Snake!” While it’s unlikely Neil is actually Snake in any multiversal sense, the visual and thematic nods are unmistakable and serve as a tribute to Kojima’s legacy with the *Metal Gear* franchise.

Fans can look forward to experiencing Marinelli’s portrayal firsthand when *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach* launches on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5. For more details on this mysterious new character, check out IGN’s feature: [Who Is Kojima’s New ‘Solid Snake’?](#)

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