Hideo Kojima Reveals How He Pitched Death Stranding to Norman Reedus

Hideo Kojima reveals how Norman Reedus quickly signed on for Death Stranding. Despite the game's early development stage, Reedus enthusiastically agreed to star as Sam Porter Bridges, the protagonist tasked with traversing a dangerous post-apocalyptic landscape. This pivotal decision, made during a sushi dinner, solidified the game's unique cast and contributed to its eventual success.

Death Stranding's unexpected popularity surprised many. Reedus's performance, along with other Hollywood talent, helped solidify the game's unusual narrative, fueling significant post-launch discussion.

Kojima's Twitter post details the speed of Reedus's commitment. Within a month of the initial pitch – which lacked even a full script – Reedus was in the studio for motion capture, likely for the iconic 2016 E3 trailer. This early commitment highlights the strength of Kojima's vision and the trust Reedus placed in the acclaimed creator.

The anecdote also sheds light on Kojima's precarious position at the time. Newly independent after leaving Konami and following the cancellation of Silent Hills (which featured Reedus in the P.T. demo), he had minimal resources when he secured Reedus's participation. The connection forged during the Silent Hills project ultimately paved the way for their collaboration on Death Stranding. Now, with Death Stranding 2 underway, the enduring partnership between Kojima and Reedus continues.