Hideo Kojima’s Kojima Productions has partnered with Barbarian executive producer Alex Lebovici’s Hammerstone Studios to develop and produce a movie based on Death Stranding.
As reported by Deadline, the film is being fully financed by Hammerstone Studios and Kojima and Lebovici will serve as producers on the project. Kojima Productions US and Allan Ungar will take on the role of executive producers.
No further official details were given for the Death Stranding film, but Deadline has said it will “introduce new elements and characters within the Death Stranding universe.” There is also no word as to who will direct and write the movie, but Deadline understands it’s “now on the fast track, with development underway.”
In 2021, Kojima Productions opened a division to release movies, TV, and music, and its plan looks to be starting to take shape.
“I couldn’t be more excited about this new partnership with Hammerstone Studios,” said Kojima. “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.”
“We are thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to partner with brilliant and iconic Hideo Kojima on his first film adaptation,” added Lebovici. “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.”
This news follows the reveal at The Game Awards 2022 that a sequel to 2019’s Death Stranding was in development. We were treated to an extended look at the new game, and it featured Léa Seydoux’s Fragile being pursued by an unknown threat, a look at Norman Reedus’ Sam Bridges in his older years, and a baby who has grown.
In our original review of Death Stranding, we said that it, “delivers a fascinating world of supernatural sci-fi, but its gameplay struggles to support its weight.”
In our review of Barbarian, we said that it is “one of the wildest horror films in years from its combination of subgenres to full-throttle approach to unapologetic exploitation themes.”
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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.