Death Stranding Movie’s Script Is “Almost Done,” Director Says

The upcoming Death Stranding movie from Backrooms studio A24 and director Michael Sarnoski remains in development, and now Sarnoski has provided an update on how it's coming along and what fans can expect. Sarnoski, who is also writing the script, told IGN he is almost done with it. Hideo Kojima, who is producing the movie, has seen drafts of the script and has passed along revisions, but there is no word on the specifics of the changes. Kojima has been really generous in letting me play in his world but letting me tell a story with my own characters and my own sort of corner of this world, but keeping it honest to the game and doing something that fans will really like. So it's been a great process so far, and I'm really excited to share it, he said. Sarnoski also said he was impressed that Kojima recognized some of the nods he put into the script, including a reference to the 1985 movie Come and See. He just knows movies incredibly well. So that's been very cool to see, Sarnoski said. That's not surprising to hear, as Kojima says 70 of his body is made up of movies. Sarnoski is known for directing the movies Pig and A Quiet Place: Day One. His next movie is The Death of Robin Hood, which stars Hugh Jackman as Robin Hood and releases on June 19. Not a whole lot is known about the Death Stranding movie and how it may differ from the games, but Sarnoski previously talked about how his aim is to capture the soul and themes of the game, while featuring new characters. Kojima himself was approached to direct the Death Stranding movie, but he declined. Kojima won't be “involved too much” because if he were, he would “start saying a lot of things.” It’s still early days for the Death Stranding movie and there is no word yet on a cast or a release date. Norman Reedus, who plays main character Sam in the Death Stranding games, has said he’s open to returning for the movie. A Death Stranding animated movie is also in the works, as part of the bigger Death Stranding universe. As for the game series, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach came out in June 2025, and while Kojima has ideas for Death Stranding 3, he doesn’t plan to make it himself. Kojima is also working on the games OD and Physint. A24 is also producing the Elden Ring movie, which is being directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Alex Garland.