In 2015, Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind Metal Gear Solid, established Kojima Productions. His first game post-Konami, Death Stranding, was released in 2019. Given the star-studded cast, including Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux, Margaret Qualley, Troy Baker, and Lindsey Wagner, it was widely speculated that a Death Stranding movie would soon follow. However, despite A24 securing the feature adaptation rights, Kojima has no plans to direct the film. He is currently too engrossed in game development.
"These projects are my babies, and I have a deep love for movies. I want the film adaptation to be something that truly resonates with movie enthusiasts," Kojima shared with Variety. "I will oversee the plot and assist in its creation, but I won't be directing it. With three ongoing projects, I simply can't. Instead, I'll collaborate with a director I deeply trust... There are multiple Death Stranding adaptation projects in the works, but I've also penned a different story intended for the big screen. Unfortunately, I lack the time to direct it, so I won't."
Kojima is currently working with Jordan Peele on the forthcoming game OD. However, he seems to have ruled out collaborating with Peele on the Death Stranding movie, preferring to create a new property together. "It's not just Jordan; I share a close bond with directors like Guillermo del Toro, Nicolas Winding Refn, and George Miller—all of whom appear in Death Stranding—and we often discuss potential collaborations," Kojima added. "Currently, movies and games are distinct entities, but that will soon change. It's not about turning Nope into a video game or adapting Death Stranding into a film. It's about crafting something entirely new together."
Kojima also expressed his ambition to propel Kojima Productions into a new era, expanding beyond games. He is keen to collaborate with "talented individuals from across the globe" on these ventures. "It could be a movie, a game, or something entirely different," Kojima explained. "I can't rest until that happens! I don't believe I'm aiming for anything extraordinary!"
