A24 is developing a Death Stranding movie, but Hideo Kojima has another project in the works: an anime adaptation of the acclaimed video game.
Before Kojima became one of the most famous video game designers in history and created the Metal Gear franchise, he wanted to work in movies.
Decades later, his dream is coming true. A Death Stranding film is set for release sometime in 2027, and he has an even bigger goal: creating a “new form that is both a game and a movie.”
In a new piece for Vogue Japan ahead of Death Stranding 2, Kojima spoke about closing “the boundary between movies and games” and his wider plans for Death Stranding – including a new anime.
Hideo Kojima quietly announces Death Stranding anime
“If the first phase of Kojima Productions was to create the IP Death Stranding and deploy it on various devices, and to produce movies and sequels, the second phase is to create works in which the boundary between games and movies is as ambiguous as possible,” he wrote.
“For example, a game where people watching the screen from behind while playing the game will mistake it for a movie. By using the same assets and creators as the movie, we are planning to create such a work.”
A24’s Death Stranding movie is in active development, with Michael Sarnoski (Pig, A Quiet Place: Day One) signed on to direct and Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar) producing.
Kojima noted the success of video game adaptations like The Last of Us “that keep the plot of the original intact” and The Super Mario Bros Movie that’s “more like a service to game fans.”
“I am aiming to make Death Stranding in a way that can only be done as a film, and that will win awards at the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival. In fact, we are also currently working on an anime adaptation.”
Find out why Kojima wanted Death Stranding 2 to be more “controversial”, and check out our list of the best video game movies ever made.
