Ever since the original Metal Gear in 1987, Hideo Kojima has been infusing his video game creations with his love for movies, and this cinematic passion has recently reflected itself in Kojima's casting of his 2019 release, Death Stranding, and perhaps in a potential sequel. The game's performers include Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, and Lea Seydoux, and there are additional cameos from big names such as Guillermo Del Toro and Nicolas Winding Refn, each directors that Kojima admires. Apparently, Kojima had even more celebrities in mind, and he's revealed that he almost cast Keanu Reeves in an important role, which opens the door for the actor appearing in possible Death Stranding 2.
Death Stranding was Kojima's first release after departing from Konami on bad terms in 2015, and it feels like the work of a director freed from his previous constraints. The game's slow pace and emphasis on delivering cargo on foot were divisive, but it was a critical and commercial success that has earned a following of devoted fans. Kojima has said that he's open to a sequel, though nothing official has been announced yet.
It's unclear which of Kojima's favorite actors would be invited to join the Death Stranding universe if there were a sequel, but there are some performers who feel especially suited to starring in a Kojima game. From actors Kojima has worked with before to some who may not be aware of his work, here are the actors who would be the best additions to Death Stranding 2.
Keanu Reeves Should Appear in Death Stranding 2
Kojima has said that he considered casting Keanu Reeves as Death Stranding villain Cliff, a role that went to Mads Mikkelsen. Kojima's affinity for Mikkelsen has been well-documented, but there's still room for Reeves in Kojima's cinematic Death Stranding narrative. Reeves is no stranger to video games or sci-fi stories, and his casting would add to a potential sequel's prestige and star power.
Thanks to his career renaissance as the titular character in the John Wick film series, Keanu Reeves has never been more beloved. He recently appeared in the highly-anticipated yet divisive Cyberpunk 2077 as the charismatic Johnny Silverhand, and fans widely praised his performance despite being disappointed with the game as a finished product.
David Hayter & Hideo Kojima Could Reunite on Death Stranding 2
David Hayter has had successful careers in acting and screenwriting, but he will always be known to the gaming community as the voice of Solid Snake in Kojima's Metal Gear Solid series. Hayter gave Snake his instantly identifiable rasp, and he voiced the character in several games before being replaced by Kiefer Sutherland in MGS 5: The Phantom Pain. Kojima explained the recasting by saying that he simply wanted a more subdued performance, but Hayter publicly voiced his disappointment over losing his career-defining role.
It would be a shame if Kojima and Hayter never resurrected their old creative partnership, and Hayter getting a role in Death Stranding 2 would be a great way to bring the actor back into Kojima's world. Furthermore, Death Stranding is far more serious than the MGS games that Hayter starred in, and a sequel would give him an opportunity to showcase different sides to his voice and acting ability.
Kiefer Sutherland Would Be A Great Actor For Death Stranding 2
Kiefer Sutherland's casting as Big Boss in The Phantom Pain was controversial, with many fans upset over David Hayter's absence. Then, when Kojima's The Phantom Pain's prologue, Ground Zeroes, was released, fans realized that Sutherland's version of Snake would be a man of few words, speaking far less than the character that Hayter voiced. While many fans came to appreciate what Sutherland and Kojima accomplished with their reimagining of the character, it was hard not to feel as if a major Hollywood star like Sutherland could have been given more substantial dialogue. Casting Sutherland in a Death Stranding sequel would allow the Lost Boys and 24 actor to show off his full talent in a Kojima video game.
Stefanie Joosten Would Be Perfect For Death Stranding 2
Actress and singer Stefanie Joosten became a seemingly overnight success after she portrayed the character of Quiet in The Phantom Pain. Joosten both voiced the character and did the motion capture work, leaving her own stamp on what turned out to be the game's fan-favorite character. Despite barely speaking, Quiet was an important character that opened up doors in the video game industry for Joosten, and fans have been hoping for her and Kojima to reunite. Joosten revealed that Kojima initially approached her to play Death Stranding's Fragile, a character that ended up being portrayed by Lea Seydoux. While Kojima went a different route when casting Fragile, a new Death Stranding game would be the perfect opportunity to give Joosten another interesting role.
Ron Perlman Should Be In Death Stranding 2
Hellboy and Sons of Anarchy star Ron Perlman isn't directly linked to Kojima, but they do share an important friend in Guillermo Del Toro. Del Toro, who has collaborated with Kojima on P.T. and their unfinished Silent Hill game, has maintained a long working relationship with Perlman ever since casting him in Cronos, which was Del Toro's debut feature. Perlman went on to star in Del Toro films such as Blade 2, Pacific Rim, and the Hellboy films. Outside of his collaborations with Del Toro, Perlman is known for his work in genre films, and he would fit in perfectly in the high-concept sci-fi world of Death Stranding.
Perlman is no stranger to video games, as he has voiced roles in Halo 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, and The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. His most iconic voice performance, however, may be his role as the Narrator from nearly every game in the Fallout series. Hearing what he's able to do with just a handful of introduction lines in Fallout, it's clear that he would shine if given a larger role in a Kojima project like a possible Death Stranding 2.
Charlize Theron Would Be A Welcome Death Stranding Sequel Addition
Oscar-winner Charlize Theron has been building her action resume recently with starring roles in Atomic Blonde, The Old Guard, and the Fast and Furious franchise, but the 2005 Aeon Flux game is her only video game credit to date. Like Ron Perlman, Theron has no direct ties to Kojima, but she did star in a film that's near and dear to the Metal Gear creator's heart: Mad Max: Fury Road. Kojima has been outspoken over his love for the Mad Max franchise, frequently noting how the films have influenced his games. Death Stranding's post-apocalyptic locations have traces of this influence, and Mad Max director George Miller has even praised Kojima and Death Stranding.
Theron's Furiosa was the breakout character of Fury Road, and her versatility as a performer would allow her to inhabit nearly any new character that Kojima dreams up. Performing in a Death Stranding sequel would introduce Theron to a new fanbase, and an actor of her caliber appearing in a video game is likelier now more than ever thanks to Kojima and other auteur creators.