The gaming industry thrives on mysteries and speculation, especially when the name of Hideo Kojima comes up. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the video game auteur loves dropping cryptic hints, which his fans love to talk about on the internet. Recently, hints were dropped about the possibility that Death Stranding 2 could feature both Norman Reedus AND Keanu Reeves.
Death Stranding, a game that graced our world in 2019, crafted by the mastermind Kojima Productions and embraced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, carved a niche of its own. It was not just a game; it was a cinematic odyssey. And when the creator himself, Hideo Kojima, parted ways with Konami in 2015, fans were uncertain about the road ahead. However, that uncertainty was quickly alleviated with Death Stranding’s overwhelming success.
The enigmatic developer recently fueled speculations with an Instagram post featuring the familiar face of Norman Reedus, who portrayed Sam Porter Bridges in Death Stranding, and the iconic Keanu Reeves, celebrated for his roles in franchises such as The Matrix and John Wick. The duo, both avid motorcycle enthusiasts, was seen cruising the roads.
The intriguing part? This isn’t the first tantalizing tease Kojima has thrown our way involving Reeves. Back in 2019, the John Wick star popped by for a visit over at Kojima Productions, an encounter that was seemingly casual at the time, but now seems shrouded in mystery. Given Reeves’ subsequent starring role in Cyberpunk 2077, the possibility of him diving deep into another video game venture isn’t too far-fetched. Could Kojima and Reeves be working on something together? Or was it merely two celebrities sharing their passion for motorcycles?
And let’s not forget, Death Stranding 2 actually exists – and it might come out next year. The sequel promises to be an evolution from its predecessor, with the cinematic touch Kojima is known for. Elle Fanning, Shioli Kutsuna, and Léa Seydoux have already been introduced through captivating visuals, adding to the game’s ensemble. Furthermore, with whispers of Nicholas Cage’s potential involvement, it seems Death Stranding 2 is gearing up to blur the lines between Hollywood and gaming even further.
Kojima is a known enchanter, famously dropping subtle hints and teasing the gaming community, year after year. One such tease came in the form of a trailer for Death Stranding 2, hinting at a possible and grander reveal at Gamescom on August 23. And for those who’ve seen the developer’s patterns, there’s another date to mark: The Game Awards later in December. It wouldn’t be surprising if Kojima graces the event with yet another sneak peek, especially given his close association with the event’s host, Geoff Keighley.
Interestingly, Kojima revealed a poignant insight into the sequel’s development, discussing how the story underwent a complete rewrite in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Death Stranding focused on connectivity, the global crisis emphasized “pseudo-connections” like remote engagements. Kojima felt the need to revisit this theme, highlighting the significance of real-world experiences and human interactions.
So, as we connect the dots and try to unravel the mystery, a few questions remain: Will Keanu Reeves join the world of Death Stranding 2? Will the game further push the boundaries of cinematic gameplay? Or, maybe, just maybe, it isn’t Keanu Reeves that’s joining Norman Reedus for a cameo in Death Stranding 2 but the other way around? We shouldn’t discount Norman Reedus’ potential appearance in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, which comes out next month and features Idris Elba, among others. Considering that the first game had a Hideo Kojima cameo, a random encounter with Reedus on a bike in the game wouldn’t be the worst idea.
Of course, as is everything that isn’t confirmed, only time will tell us the truth. One thing’s for certain, though: under the guidance of Hideo Kojima, Death Stranding 2 is bound to be anything but ordinary.
