Hideo Kojima Reveals How He Pitched Death Stranding to Norman Reedus

Hideo Kojima reveals how Norman Reedus quickly signed on to star in Death Stranding. Despite the game's early development stage, Reedus readily agreed to the role after a sushi restaurant pitch from Kojima.

Death Stranding, a unique post-apocalyptic title, surprised many with its success. Norman Reedus' portrayal of Sam Porter Bridges, a courier traversing dangerous terrain, was a key element of the game's appeal. His performance, alongside other Hollywood stars, contributed to the game's slow but steady rise to popularity.

With Death Stranding 2 underway, Kojima shared the story behind Reedus' involvement. He recounted pitching the game to Reedus at a sushi restaurant, receiving an immediate "yes" even without a completed script. Within a month, Reedus was in the studio for motion capture, likely contributing to the iconic Death Stranding E3 2016 trailer.

Kojima also highlighted the precarious position of Kojima Productions at the time. Newly independent after his departure from Konami, he had minimal resources when he approached Reedus. Their initial connection stemmed from the cancelled Silent Hills project with Guillermo del Toro, proving that even unrealized projects can bear unexpected fruit.