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 new face alongside familiar ones like Norman Reedus and Lea Seydoux. This newcomer, Luca Marinelli, plays Neil, and his presence sparks intriguing comparisons to Kojima's iconic creation, Solid Snake.

Who is Luca Marinelli Playing in Death Stranding 2?

Marinelli portrays Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Known for roles in Italian productions and as Nicky in Netflix's The Old Guard, Marinelli's Neil is initially seen in an interrogation, seemingly trying to sever ties with a mysterious employer who insists he continues his "dirty work"—smuggling brain-dead pregnant women. A later scene hints at a romantic relationship with a Bridges employee, Lucy (played by Marinelli's wife, Alissa Jung).

Wait, Brain-Dead Pregnant Women?

This recalls the Bridge Babies (BBs) from the first Death Stranding – fetuses from brain-dead mothers, crucial for detecting Beached Things (BTs). The US government's past experimentation with BBs, leading to a devastating Voidout in Manhattan, is alluded to. Neil's smuggling operation suggests a continuation of this illegal research.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

While Neil isn't Solid Snake, the striking visual similarity, particularly when Neil ties a bandana around his forehead, is deliberate. Kojima himself previously noted Marinelli's resemblance to Snake. The connection is a playful homage, not a direct crossover, acknowledging the enduring legacy of Metal Gear Solid.

How Death Stranding 2 Connects to Metal Gear Solid

The trailer's numerous references to Metal Gear extend beyond Neil's appearance. Neil's transformation into a Beached being, leading an undead army, mirrors Cliff Unger's fate in the first game. The trailer's narrative about the resurgence of US gun culture echoes Metal Gear's recurring themes of weapon proliferation and its impact on humanity. This thematic resonance, coupled with Neil's potential metaphorical representation of a "beached" Solid Snake, strengthens the connection. Furthermore, Heartman's merging of the DHV Magellan with a colossal BT creates a bio-robotic giant reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid 5's Sahelanthropus.

The trailer's cinematic style, echoing the Red Band trailer for Metal Gear Solid 5, further emphasizes the deliberate homage.

Will There Be Another Kojima Metal Gear Solid Game?

While a new Metal Gear Solid game from Kojima is unlikely, Death Stranding 2 showcases his continued engagement with the series' themes and imagery. The sequel's expanded scope, diverse environments, and apparent emphasis on combat suggest a bolder, potentially more action-oriented experience than its predecessor, drawing closer in spirit to the Metal Gear Solid series, even without sharing the name.