Last December, Deadline reported that a Death Stranding movie was in the works. Kojima Productions, the studio that made the original game, was set to be one of two main producers, but there was no word on who would write, direct, or star in the film, or if any members of the original creative team would occupy any of those roles. Yesterday, Death Stranding’s game director Hideo Kojima took to Twitter to clarify his involvement.
Just to be clear, I am deeply involved in producing, supervising, plotting, look, design and content of the film adaptation of DS, just not in charge of directing.
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) June 18, 2023
Here, Kojima confirms that he will not be directing the movie, but fans worried that Kojima Productions’ involvement wouldn’t involve input from the man at its helm can rest easy. In addition to his role as producer, Kojima will be “deeply involved” with many other elements of the film, including its plot and overall aesthetics. While the movie takes place in the existing Death Stranding world, it will “introduce new elements and characters within the Death Stranding universe,” according to Deadline. Whether that consists of a retelling of an existing plot or an entirely new one is unclear, but it will certainly have that distinct Kojima touch.
In addition to the film-focused branch of Kojima Productions, the film will be produced by Hammerstone Studios. Founded in 2018, the studio’s best-known films include Barbarian (2022) and Bill and Ted Face the Music (2020). The studio’s founder, Alex Lebovici, had the following to say to Deadline about the upcoming project:
We are thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to partner with brilliant and iconic Hideo Kojima on his first film adaptation. Unlike other big budget tentpole video game adaptations, this will be something far more intimate and grounded. Our goal is to redefine what a video game adaptation could be when you have creative and artistic freedom. This film will be an authentic “Hideo Kojima” production.
Given the fact that the production teams have yet to announce any director, writer or actor that’s attached to the project (I’m hoping it involves Nicolas Cage), it’s still a few years out. If you’re dying for more Kojima before then, you can re-watch the Death Stranding 2 reveal trailer or fantasize about the game Kojima wants to make in space.
