Hideo Kojima says he’ll be ‘deeply involved’ in the making of the Death Stranding movie

Hideo Kojima says he’ll be heavily involved in the production of the upcoming Death Stranding movie, but that he won’t be in the director’s chair.

It was expected that Kojima, who directed and designed the 2019 game, would have a typically hands-on role with the film, but it hasn’t been clear to what extent this will be the case.

Now Kojima has attempted to clarify the situation, taking to Twitter to list his duties on the film.

“Just to be clear,” he explained, “I am deeply involved in producing, supervising, plotting, look, design and content of the film adaptation of Death Stranding, just not in charge of directing.”

It’s still not known who will direct the film, nor is it known whether it will include any of the actors who previously starred in the game, such as Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen or Léa Seydoux.

Just to be clear, I am deeply involved in producing, supervising, plotting, look, design and content of the film adaptation of DS, just not in charge of directing.

— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) June 18, 2023

It was first announced in December 2022 that a Death Stranding movie is in the works.

Fully financed by executive producer Alex Lebovici’s Hammerstone Studios, the film will be produced by Kojima and Lebovici via their respective banners.

“I couldn’t be more excited about this new partnership with Hammerstone Studios,” Kojima said at the time. “This is a pivotal moment for the franchise and I’m really looking forward to collaborating with them in bringing Death Stranding to the big screen.

Further reading

The Death Stranding film ‘won’t be a blockbuster with big actors and explosions’

Hideo Kojima is “aiming for a more arthouse approach” to his debut movie

Lebovici added: “We are thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to partner with brilliant and iconic Hideo Kojima on his first film adaptation.

“Unlike other big-budget tentpole video game adaptations, this will be something far more intimate and grounded. Our goal is to redefine what a video game adaptation could be when you have creative and artistic freedom. This film will be an authentic Hideo Kojima production.”