Death Stranding movie director-writer Michael Sarnoski has given a status update on the A24 adaptation's script – and Hideo Kojima's glowing response to it.
"I'm writing the script right now and hopefully almost done with that and really excited to dive into it," Sarnoski told IGN.
To that end, the Pig and A Quiet Place: Day One helmer has been in discussions with both Kojima and A24, which means the usual back-and-forth tweaks.
"We're working on some revisions together, and they all seem super excited and happy with it. Kojima has been really generous in letting me play in his world but letting me tell a story with my own characters and my own sort of corner of this world, but keeping it honest to the game and doing something that fans will really like," Sarnoski revealed.
It should come as no surprise, too, that Kojima has been keen to point out movie references and allusions to Hollywood in the Death Stranding script. This is, after all, someone who looks like a beaming puppy when in the same room as Martin Scorsese and routinely reels off a 'just watching' list that should instantly give him access to the Criterion Closet.
"I was impressed that when he read this script, without me needing to talk to him about it, he knew every single [movie] reference… He just knows movies incredibly well. So that's been very cool to see.," Sarnoski continued.
Much like Hideo Kojima revealed upon its unveiling, Sarnoski said the Death Stranding movie will be an original story set in the universe, not an adaptation of the two Norman Reedus-starring games. Despite that, the director refuses to rule out any familiar faces showing up.
"You might see some characters from the game pop up," Sarnoski teased. "But it definitely feels like something that could happen alongside the game and honors what's going on in the game but very much is its own thing."
A Death Stranding anime is also in the works, penned by Raised by Wolves writer Aaron Guzikowski.
The Death Stranding movie is currently undated.
For more, check out the new PS5 games on the horizon, plus a look ahead to the rest of 2026's movie release dates.
