Death Stranding Movie Finds Director in Michael Sarnoski

The live-action adaptation of the popular video game Death Stranding has reportedly secured Michael Sarnoski as both writer and director. Sarnoski, known for directing “A Quiet Place: Day One” and the critically acclaimed “Pig” starring Nicolas Cage, will helm this highly anticipated project.

According to Deadline, the Death Stranding movie is a collaborative effort between Kojima Productions and A24, the production company behind critically acclaimed films like “Hereditary,” “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” and “The Zone of Interest.” This partnership aligns with game creator Hideo Kojima’s previously stated vision of taking “a more arthouse approach” with the film adaptation.

The Death Stranding movie was first announced in December 2022 and was described as being “on the fast track with development underway.” While specific plot details remain scarce, the film will take place in the same post-apocalyptic setting as the game. What remains unclear is whether the movie will directly adapt the game’s storyline or create a new narrative within the same universe.

For those unfamiliar with the source material, Death Stranding takes place in a world where a catastrophic event has blurred the boundaries between life and death. This cataclysm brought forth nightmarish creatures into a fragmented world on the brink of collapse.

The game, which launched in November 2019 for PlayStation 4, has been played by more than 20 million people worldwide and features an impressive cast including Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux, Guillermo del Toro, and Margaret Qualley.

The movie announcement comes amid several exciting developments for the Death Stranding franchise. A sequel titled “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach” is set to launch on June 26th for PlayStation 5. The game will see the return of Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, Nicolas Winding Refn, and Troy Baker, joined by newcomers Luca Marinelli, George Miller, and Elle Fanning.

Kojima Productions has also announced a worldwide concert tour based on the franchise and a collaboration with luxury watchmaker Hamilton.