Hollywood, get ready for Hideo Kojima.
The creator of Death Stranding and Metal Gear sat down for an extensive interview with Diversitypublished today, in which he talked about the next stages of his career – and revealed more direct connections to Hollywood. Kojima signed with talent agency WME, which the publication describes as “his connection to the world of television and film.”
He also talked in detail about the future of Kojima Productions, dividing his plan into three stages. Kojima said the first phase was about Death Stranding and establishing it “in the gaming category and expanding to global platforms such as Apple, PC and Sony.” “This part isn’t necessarily difficult,” he added.
Part of that, of course, is the upcoming sequel Death Stranding, which is scheduled for release next year. However, the second phase, Kojima revealed, includes “various forms of media: movies, anime, TV series, etc.”
“Basically extending the game’s IP to other media,” he continued. “This is the second stage. That’s what we’re aiming for next. I created Kojima Productions as part of “digital entertainment”, but I don’t think it necessarily has to be a video game. We could create a new IP with a game, anime, movie or something completely different. Everything is possible and this is the third stage.
This third phase certainly sounds a bit more obscure, but Kojima added that he would “like to work with talented people from all over the world and create something new, with the keyword being ‘digital’.”
“It could be a movie, a game, or something completely different,” he continued. “I can’t die by then! I don’t think I’m trying to do anything extraordinary!”
Variety also asked for updates on the Death Stranding movie, which was announced delayed last year with A24 and Kojima Productions, but Kojima didn’t reveal much. However, he confirmed that he would not direct himself, although “he will supervise the plot and help in its implementation.”
As for who could direct, Jordan Peele seems like an obvious candidate given his and Kojima’s collaboration on the mysterious upcoming OD game. Kojima, however, noted that he also has close relationships with other major filmmakers, including Guillermo del Toro, Nicolas Winding Refn and George Miller, “and we’re always talking about doing something together.”
“Right now, movies and games are two different industries, but they will soon be very similar,” he continued. “So it’s not about making a video game with Nope or having Jordan adapt Death Stranding into a movie. It’s about creating something new together.”
He also revealed that “there are several Death Stranding adaptation projects currently underway, but I have written a different story that is intended for a movie. But I don’t have time to direct it, so I won’t. Which is sort of a phase three test.”
Regardless, it looks like there’s plenty more entertainment to come in Kojima’s future, whether it’s in the form of a video game, the huge screen, or anywhere in between.
Thumbnail author: John Phillips/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Pictures
Alex Stedman is a senior news editor at IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she’s not writing or editing, she can be found reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.
