One surprising Death Stranding 2 actor left even Sony staff in awe

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Italian actor Luca Marinelli leaves a powerful impression during his screen time in Death Stranding 2, so much so that Hideo Kojima shares he took Sony employees by surprise too.

Due to Kojima’s high standing as a renowned figure in the gaming industry, it’s clear that he has considerable influence, enabling him to collaborate with virtually anyone he chooses. This extends not only to musicians but also film directors. Few obstacles can prevent him from incorporating these individuals into his creations and expanding their roles within his universes.

From my perspective, it feels like he’s inviting us into his world of enthusiasm. He gleefully presents the tidbits of media that truly spark his interest. Most importantly, it’s apparent that he genuinely cherishes the experience of going to the cinema.

For the casting of Death Stranding 2, Kojima did not limit his search to popular Western actors, instead scouring the globe for exceptional talent that would fit his vision. It was through this global hunt that he discovered Luca Marinelli, leaving many others, including those at Sony, in awe and puzzled as to how such a hidden gem was uncovered.

Luca Marinelli turned heads with Death Stranding 2 performance

After completing the entire game, I can confidently endorse Marinelli’s acting skills. His portrayal of the character Neil in Death Stranding 2 is exceptional, making the character feel incredibly lifelike. It’s best to go into it knowing as little as possible, but suffice it to say that this role has a lot of depth to explore.

It’s quite challenging to make it feel authentic, especially when compared to one of Kojima’s past characters. During an interview in Sydney, he joked, “You might think of him as Snake, but he isn’t. So why call him Snake?

It might be surprising, but even though the movie had a star-studded cast filled with top Hollywood actors, it wasn’t these famous faces that left staff members in shock. Instead, it was Marinelli’s portrayal of Neil that caused quite an impact.

Kojima commented on one of Marinelli’s films when it arrived in Japan, after initially watching his Italian movies. Later, Luca discovered this and reached out to the publisher. The publisher then got in touch with me, informing that Luca had been playing my games since Metal Gear. ‘I’m deeply moved,’ said Luca, ‘thank you so much.’

During that period of a pandemic, I felt Neil’s part was crucial. To outshine Mads with the character of Cliff, I required an exceptional actor. I believed Luca might be suitable for the role, so I inquired if he’d like to take it on.

Afterward, they swiftly moved on to the main event, filming Neil’s scenes at a Los Angeles studio, which belonged to Sony. His acting was nothing short of exceptional, captivating attention from every corner of the entertainment industry.

There are numerous individuals around the studio whom I’m not familiar with. Approximately 30 to 40 people, and I’m unsure of their roles. Typically, when Norman [Reedus] enters, they’re often engrossed in their phones. I find myself thinking, ‘I assume you’re not here for the same reason as me.’

After that, Luca took the stage, causing everyone to set aside their phones and focus. Who is this fantastic actor, I wonder where he was discovered?

It’s quite evident why everyone on set found Neil’s performances so mesmerizing, considering the intense emotional impact of his scenes in the sequel. These scenes are particularly poignant and often lead to tears. Whenever Neil appears on screen, you can’t help but focus entirely on him.

It’s a commanding performance, and amusingly, one that even confused Marinelli at first.

Kojima went on to reveal, “I displayed the bandana portion to him,” he added, “I inquired about the response he received from his companions and relatives. He expressed immense gratitude for being Snake. I retorted, ‘You’re not Snake! You simply wear a bandana!’

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2025-06-26 04:49