Kojima Productions has announced that it is teaming with A24 to develop a live-action film based on Death Stranding, a game that Hideo Kojima critics say is basically a movie already.
Here’s the press release from Kojima Productions, which seems to suggest that the Death Stranding movie will provide additional insight into the franchise’s universe, beyond what was shared in the game that originally launched for PlayStation 4 in November 2019:
The announcement comes ahead of KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS, 8th Anniversary on 16th December marking a new milestone in video game to film adaptations. The film promises to delve into the mysteries surrounding the apocalyptic event called the “Death Stranding”, which blurred the lines between life and death, and brought forth nightmarish creatures into a world on the brink of collapse.
The press release goes on to explain why Hideo Kojima is a big deal:
Hailed as the architect of the stealth genre and a pioneer in interactive storytelling, Hideo Kojima continually shifts the boundaries between film and game. Widely considered the father of the stealth genre, he is also credited with innovating both story-telling and cinematic presentation in video games at large. In 2020, Hideo Kojima received the BAFTA Fellowship, the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA upon an individual in recognition of exceptional contribution to film, games or television.
“A24 was born into this world about 10 years ago, their presence is singular within the industry, they are like no other,” said Hideo Kojima in a statement. “The films they are delivering to the world are high in quality and very innovative. I have been attracted to their creations and they have even inspired my own work. Their innovative approach to storytelling aligns with what Kojima Productions has been doing for the last 8 years.”
“Now, we are making a Death Stranding movie together,” Kojima continued. “There are a lot of ‘game adaptation films’ out there but what we are creating is not just a direct translation of the game. The intention is that our audience will not only be fans of the games, but our film will be for anyone who loves cinema. We are creating a Death Stranding universe that has never been seen before, achievable only through the medium of film, it will be born.”
Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux, Guillermo del Toro, and Margaret Qualley star in Death Stranding, but Kojima Productions hasn’t confirmed whether they’ll be reprising their roles in the new film with A24 yet.
Death Stranding Director’s Cut, a new version of the game that includes bonus content, will be expanding to iPhone and iPad devices in January 2024.