Kojima explains that during the pandemic, when he was casting for Death Stranding 2, Neil would be an important character that replaces Cliff from the first Death Stranding, and how the fans "would not be satisfied" unless the casting would surpass Mads Mikkelsen (who played Cliff in the first game).

K ojima Productions premiered a new, 10-minute long trailer for Death Stranding 2 at SXSW over the recent weekend, and while it features some familiar faces – like Norman Reedus

Death Stranding 2 has a few nods to the Metal Gear Solid series, it seems.