‘Death Stranding’ Movie Enters Pre-Production as Director Confirms Location Scouting

Video game adaptations have had a varied history in Hollywood, but few upcoming projects inspire as much cautious optimism as A24’s adaptation of one of gaming’s most polarizing and ambitious titles. Hideo Kojima’s ‘Death Stranding’ has captivated over 19 million players globally with its expansive, genre-blending narrative that intertwines post-apocalyptic survival with deep metaphysical themes of connection and isolation.

This ambitious project has posed unique challenges, requiring a director who can honor the game’s unconventional essence without merely replicating its storyline. Michael Sarnoski, known for ‘Pig’ and ‘A Quiet Place: Day One,’ was chosen to write and direct the film back in 2025, bringing a filmmaker with a knack for emotional storytelling and genre blending.

Now, the project is progressing into its next phase. Sarnoski has confirmed that pre-production for the live-action ‘Death Stranding’ film will commence soon, with location scouting set to begin shortly.

“We’re going on a scout in a month to scout some cool locations for the film,” Sarnoski stated, according to BAFTA, providing fans with their clearest timeline yet on how swiftly the project is advancing behind the scenes.

This update follows a lengthy development process that has included several rounds of script revisions since Sarnoski first joined the project. Previously, Sarnoski shared insights on the writing process, mentioning a second draft of the screenplay and expressing hopes to film in Iceland and Northern Ireland, giving fans an early glimpse into potential filming locations.

Sarnoski has also been careful to manage expectations regarding the film’s fidelity to the source material. Instead of adapting the game’s actual plot, the story will focus on entirely new characters navigating the same fractured, post-catastrophic world. Sarnoski aims to capture the emotional essence that resonated with players rather than simply retelling the narrative.

He has expressed a desire to maintain themes of connection across space and time, isolation, and creativity—elements that deeply moved him during his own gameplay experience. This approach has been echoed by Kojima, who praised A24’s innovative storytelling style and expressed excitement about creating a ‘Death Stranding’ universe that can only be realized through film.

Sarnoski has also addressed inquiries about the film’s tone, clarifying that the adaptation will not heavily emphasize graphic violence, despite the game’s bleak atmosphere. He described the world as inherently brutal, with death always looming, while stressing that the film’s action and tension will differ from the survival-horror elements present in the original game.

Striking a balance between honoring the game’s atmosphere and establishing a unique cinematic identity has been central to Sarnoski’s approach from the beginning. Kojima has granted the director significant creative freedom to shape the story, allowing Sarnoski to develop an original narrative within the established world without strict creative constraints.

No casting announcements have been made yet, and it remains uncertain whether any of the game’s renowned voice cast, including Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux, and Margaret Qualley, will be involved in the live-action adaptation. With location scouting on the horizon, casting decisions are likely one of the next major updates fans can expect.

The film is being produced by A24 and Kojima Productions, with Lars Knudsen and Ari Aster’s Square Peg also on board as producers. Sarnoski has been juggling this project alongside his latest directorial effort, ‘The Death of Robin Hood,’ featuring Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer, indicating that his focus is now shifting toward bringing Kojima’s expansive world to the big screen.

With scouting set to commence in the coming weeks and a script that Sarnoski has described as nearly complete, ‘Death Stranding’ appears to be steadily progressing toward actual production after years of anticipation. Given Sarnoski’s commitment to honoring the game’s themes while creating something new, expectations remain high for how this unconventional adaptation will ultimately unfold.

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