Death Stranding ligner et ganske finurligt projekt indtil videre, og det skyldes hovedsageligt at både Norman Reedus og vores egen Mads Mikkelsen er spillets hovedpersoner. Nu har Hideo Kojima forklaret i et interview med Sugoi, hvordan han fik fat i det to stjerner.
Det viser sig at Kojima kender Nicolas Winding Refn, og at han fik fat på Mikkelsen igennem ham:
"I think It was around the time of 'Valhalla Rising' (2009) and 'Casino Royale' (2006)," Kojima explained. After seeing his past featured films, I found out that he was in Nicolas Winding Refn's 'Pusher' Trilogy (1996-2005), so I got ahold of Mads through Nicolas.
"Valhalla Rising' was recommended to me by Hollywood film director Ryuhei Kitamura who insisted, "There's this incredible movie, you have to watch it now". Of course, I immediately purchased the imported Blu-ray. Nicolas' 'Drive' (2001) was released in Japan right after that. I really enjoyed the film, and wrote a commentary about it. I couldn't meet Nicolas in Japan, so I contacted him while in London. To my surprise he came all the way from Copenhagen to meet me."
I forhold til Norman Reedus skete det igennem Guillermo Del Toro:
"Director Guillermo del Toro introduced me to Norman. He was the one who discovered Norman's talent, so I asked him for Norman's home address. He said "sure!" and sent an email right then and there to Norman saying, "Hideo Kojima wants to work with you". Norman quickly replied "Oh Great! O.K." [laughs]. And then I went off to meet him."