Death Stranding Movie Script Nearly Done, Will Add New Characters

Key Takeaways

• The Death Stranding movie script is nearly complete and in revision with Kojima and A24
• The film will feature new characters but existing game characters may appear
• Director Sarnoski praised Kojima's deep film knowledge, citing his recognition of obscure movie references

The Death Stranding movie is closer than ever to production. Director Michael Sarnoski told IGN Live 2026 that he's nearly finished writing the script for the A24 film, with Hideo Kojima actively involved in the revision process.

"I'm writing the script right now and hopefully almost done with that and really excited to dive into it," Sarnoski said during his appearance at the event. "I've been talking to Kojima and A24 a lot about it. They've read a draft. We're working on some revisions together, and they all seem super excited and happy with it."

New Characters, Familiar World

The biggest reveal concerns the film's approach to storytelling. Rather than adapting Sam Porter Bridges' journey from the games, Sarnoski is creating original characters who exist within the Death Stranding universe. This mirrors his work on A Quiet Place: Day One, where he introduced new protagonists into an established world.

“Kojima has been really generous in letting me play in his world but letting me tell a story with my own characters and my own sort of corner of this world, but keeping it honest to the game and doing something that fans will really like.”

— Michael Sarnoski, Writer/Director

Fans hoping to see Norman Reedus or other familiar faces on screen shouldn't lose hope entirely. Sarnoski hinted at potential crossover: "You might see some characters from the game pop up. But it definitely feels like something that could happen alongside the game and honors what's going on in the game but very much is its own thing."

Kojima's Film Knowledge Impressed the Director

Kojima's reputation as a cinephile proved accurate during the collaboration. Sarnoski described how the game creator caught every movie reference buried in his script without any prompting.

"I was impressed that when he read this script, without me needing to talk to him about it, he knew every single movie reference," Sarnoski recalled. "He was like, 'Oh, you're doing a Come and See reference there! I see that. I like that.' He just knows movies incredibly well."

Come and See is Elem Klimov's harrowing 1985 Soviet war film. Its mention suggests Sarnoski may be taking the Death Stranding adaptation into darker, more intense territory than typical video game films.

Why A Side Story Makes Sense

The decision to tell a new story rather than adapt the game's plot has strategic value. Death Stranding's original narrative is deeply intertwined with interactive gameplay. The act of walking, connecting, and building infrastructure is the story. Translating that to a passive viewing experience would strip away what makes the game distinctive.

Sarnoski explained his attraction to this approach: "That's what I loved about doing Quiet Place: that, okay, I get to play in this sandbox, but I can have my own characters; I can explore something that's meaningful to me. I think there are such fundamental themes in Death Stranding about connection and expression, and all of this stuff, that it was easy for me to find a character that made sense in that world that I could really dive into."

Project Background

A24 and Kojima Productions announced the Death Stranding film in December 2023. The pairing made sense. A24's track record with unconventional, visually distinctive films matches Kojima's aesthetic sensibilities. The studio behind Everything Everywhere All at Once, Hereditary, and Ex Machina seems better equipped than traditional Hollywood to handle Death Stranding's strangeness.

Sarnoski brings relevant experience. His debut feature Pig earned critical acclaim for finding emotional depth in an unusual premise. A Quiet Place: Day One proved he could work within franchise constraints while maintaining his voice. Both qualities will serve the Death Stranding project.

The Death Stranding franchise has reached over 25 million players across the original game and Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. That audience gives the film a built-in fanbase, though A24's involvement suggests the studio is targeting broader arthouse appeal rather than just serving existing fans.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Death Stranding movie release?

No release date has been announced. The script is still in revision, so production hasn't started. A 2027 or 2028 release seems most likely.

Will Norman Reedus appear in the Death Stranding movie?

Sarnoski hinted that game characters "might pop up" but confirmed the film focuses on new characters. Norman Reedus has not been confirmed.

Is Hideo Kojima directing the Death Stranding movie?

No. Michael Sarnoski is writing and directing. Kojima serves as a producer and has been actively involved in script development.

Is the Death Stranding movie a direct adaptation of the game?

No. The film will tell an original story with new characters set in the Death Stranding universe, running "alongside" the game's events.

Who is distributing the Death Stranding movie?

A24 is producing and will likely distribute the film. The studio is known for arthouse hits like Everything Everywhere All at Once and Hereditary.

Source: IGN All