DEATH STRANDING: Kojima, Hammerhouse Developing Feature Film Adaptation Of Hit Game
Gaming auteur Hideo Kojima’s Kojima Productions is partnering with Barbarian executive producer Alex Lebovici’s Hammerstone Studios to develop and produce the highly anticipated film adaptation of the wildly popular and critically acclaimed hit videogame franchise Death Stranding. The news comes hot on the heels of announcing the tentatively-titled “Death Stranding 2” at The Game Awards.
The plot is being kept under wraps but will introduce new elements and characters within the Death Stranding universe. It is on the fast track with development underway. The film marks a first for Kojima Productions whose Kojima will produce alongside Lebovici under his Hammerstone Studios banner, which is also fully financing. Kojima Productions US and Allan Ungar will executive produce.
“I couldn’t be more excited about this new partnership with Hammerstone Studios,” said Kojima. “This is a pivotal moment for the franchise and I’m really looking forward to collaborating with them in bringing DEATH STRANDING to the big screen.”
“We are thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to partner with brilliant and iconic Hideo Kojima on his first film adaptation,” said Lebovici. “Unlike other big budget tentpole video game adaptations, this will be something far more intimate and grounded. Our goal is to redefine what a video game adaptation could be when you have creative and artistic freedom. This film will be an authentic “Hideo Kojima” production.”
The “Death Stranding” franchise has connected with over ten million ‘porters’ worldwide since its original launch on PlayStation4 in 2019. Featuring an all-star cast including Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux, Guillermo del Toro, and Margaret Qualley, the game challenges players to reconnect a fractured society after the cataclysmic ‘Death Stranding’ event, which has opened a doorway between the living and the dead, leading to creatures from the afterlife roaming the fallen world marred by a desolate society. Carrying the disconnected remnants of humanity’s future in his hands, players embody “Sam Bridges” as he embarks on a mission to deliver hope to humanity by connecting the last survivors of a decimated America.
Kojima Producitons announced last week at The Game Awards that the game’s highly anticipated sequel is officially in development for Playstation5 with Kojima producing, writing, directing and designing himself. The studio has since released an official teaser trailer which can be viewed via the studio’s website.
Kojima is a world-renowned game creator and auteur known for pushing the boundaries of the video game medium. In 2020, Kojima received the BAFTA Fellowship, the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA upon an individual in recognition of exceptional contribution to film, games or television.
Hammerstone Studios is an LA based production company headed by Lebovici who has been quietly amassing a string of buzzworthy films. Hammerstone finances, develops and produces independent films across all genres, having produced nearly twenty films and financed over $200M in budgets. Recent releases include Barbarian, Bill & Ted Face the Music, with titles now in post-production such as Kung Fury the Movie and Boy Kills World, with Sympathy for the Devil currently in production.
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