Hideo Kojima Reveals How He Pitched Death Stranding to Norman Reedus

Hideo Kojima Recounts Norman Reedus's Immediate Commitment to Death Stranding

Metal Gear visionary Hideo Kojima recently shared the surprisingly swift story of how Norman Reedus, star of The Walking Dead, joined the cast of Death Stranding. Despite the game being in its earliest stages of development, Reedus required minimal persuasion.

Death Stranding, though from a highly respected game developer, became an unexpected success for many. Central to its unique post-apocalyptic world was Norman Reedus's portrayal of Sam Porter Bridges, a courier tasked with delivering vital supplies across treacherous landscapes, facing threats from hostile BTs and MULES. Reedus's performance, alongside other Hollywood talent, contributed significantly to the game's captivating narrative, leading to its gradual rise in popularity and extensive post-launch discussion.

With Death Stranding 2 now in production and Reedus reprising his role, Kojima revealed further details about the genesis of the original game. He tweeted that securing Reedus's involvement was remarkably easy.

Kojima's Sushi Restaurant Pitch

Kojima recounted pitching Death Stranding to Reedus during a sushi dinner, receiving an immediate "yes" despite the lack of a finished script. Within a month, Reedus was in the studio for motion capture work for a promotional trailer. While Kojima didn't specify which trailer, it's plausible that this footage appeared in the iconic Death Stranding E3 2016 teaser, marking Kojima Productions' debut as an independent studio.

Kojima's post also shed light on the circumstances surrounding Kojima Productions' inception. He was essentially starting from scratch, having recently established the studio following his departure from Konami, where he had spent years developing the Metal Gear franchise. His collaboration with Guillermo del Toro on the cancelled Silent Hills project, known for its chilling P.T. teaser, is what initially connected him with Reedus, ultimately paving the way for their Death Stranding partnership years later.