Kojima Secured Reedus for Death Stranding With Intriguing Pitch

Hideo Kojima reveals the surprisingly swift recruitment of Norman Reedus for Death Stranding. Despite the game's nascent development stage, Reedus enthusiastically agreed to star as Sam Porter Bridges, the pivotal courier navigating a post-apocalyptic landscape teeming with BTs and MULES. This casting decision proved instrumental to the game's eventual success.

Death Stranding, a unique and initially surprising hit, benefited greatly from Reedus's performance and the game's star-studded cast. His portrayal of Sam, tasked with delivering vital packages across treacherous terrain, captivated audiences. The game's distinctive narrative further solidified its place in gaming history.

Kojima recently shared on Twitter the anecdote of securing Reedus for Death Stranding. During a casual sushi dinner, Kojima pitched the concept, and Reedus immediately accepted, even before a script existed. Within a month, Reedus was involved in motion capture for a promotional trailer, likely contributing to the iconic Death Stranding E3 2016 teaser.

This collaboration highlights a significant moment in Kojima Productions' history. Having recently established the studio independently after leaving Konami, Kojima was essentially starting from scratch. His prior collaboration with Reedus on the cancelled Silent Hills project (famously represented by the P.T. demo) proved crucial in forging this partnership, ultimately leading to Death Stranding's creation. The connection formed during the Silent Hills project, though the game itself never materialized beyond the P.T. teaser, unexpectedly paved the way for a landmark collaboration years later.