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 presence hints at a significant connection to Kojima's iconic Metal Gear Solid series.

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 at odds with a powerful figure. Later, a conversation with Lucy (played by Marinelli's wife, Alissa Jung) reveals Neil's involvement in smuggling—brain-dead pregnant women—for this mysterious employer.

Wait, Brain-Dead Pregnant Women?

This ties directly to the concept of Bridge Babies (BBs) from the first game. BBs, seven-month fetuses from brain-dead mothers, possess a unique ability to interact with the spectral BTs (Beached Things), aiding Sam Porter Bridges in navigating the supernatural elements of the game's world. Government experimentation with BBs, discontinued after a catastrophic Voidout in Manhattan, seems to have continued clandestinely, explaining Neil's illicit activities.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

While Neil isn't Solid Snake, the visual resemblance, particularly when Neil dons a bandana, is intentional. Kojima himself previously noted Marinelli's resemblance to Snake, making the visual parallel in the trailer a deliberate nod to his earlier work. The universes remain distinct, but the homage is undeniable.

How Death Stranding 2 Connects to Metal Gear Solid

The connection goes beyond a simple visual Easter egg. The trailer heavily evokes Metal Gear's themes, particularly the dangers of weapon proliferation and its corrosive effect on the human soul. Neil's eventual transformation into a Beached entity, leading undead soldiers, mirrors the fate of Cliff Unger in the first game. The trailer's narrative about the resurgence of gun culture on a "new continent" directly echoes this central Metal Gear concern.

Furthermore, the merging of Heartman's ship, the DHV Magellan, with a colossal BT to create a bio-robotic giant reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid 5's Sahelanthropus further strengthens the thematic link. Both scenarios involve potentially catastrophic weapons. The cinematic style of the trailer, mirroring the epic scale of Metal Gear Solid 5's Red Band trailer, reinforces this connection.

Will There Be Another Kojima Metal Gear Solid Game?

While a new Metal Gear Solid game from Kojima is unlikely, given his departure from Konami, the enduring influence of the series on his creative vision is clear. Death Stranding 2, with its expanded scope, diverse environments, and emphasis on combat, seems to embody a spiritual successor, incorporating themes and imagery deeply rooted in Kojima's previous masterpiece.