Hideo Kojima‘s relationship with Sony via PlayStation and their feature film adaptation of his video game masterpiece franchise “Metal Gear Solid” (Owned by Konami, whom Kojmia had a falling out with) is extremely strong but he’s now revealed why he selected A24 Films and not Sony Pictures to handle this movie incarnation of “Death Stranding.” During a new episode of his HideoTube web series, the head of Kojima Productions and its namesake discussed his reasoning behind choosing A24 over Sony (Via GameSpot), which seems to be more about Kojima wanting a studio to make an indie/artsy incarnation that might end up getting awards consideration at film festivals.

“It’s easier to adapt it into a TV series, like ‘The Last of Us,'” Kojima said. “It’s quite difficult to adapt a 50-60 hour game like ‘Death Stranding’ into a two or three-hour movie. The worldview won’t change, of course. But the story of the game as is won’t fit into just two hours. We’re still looking at how to approach it.

“In the past, film adaptations of video games always failed, you know. But in the last four to five years, people who understand games have taken on the task of adapting it into a film or drama. And several hits have been made, like ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie.’ And that’s the trend these days, but with A24, I want to make something that’s based on a game, but also indie and artistic, something that can win awards at film festivals like Cannes, Venice, or Sundance.”

We’re still waiting on who exactly will be either writing or directing the “Death Stranding” movie for A24, but Kojima’s friends in Hollywood and the international film scene run deep. So, it’s anyone’s guess. However, there is an expectation that cast members from the original video game such as Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead”), Lea Seydoux (“Dune: Part Two”), Mads Mikkelsen (“Another Round”), Margaret Qualley (“Once Upon A Time In Hollywood,” “The Nice Guys”), and others could end up reprising their roles in the feature film with announcements on that front likely coming shortly once they secure a creative team.

Kojima is a busy bee with “Death Stranding 2: On The Beach” releasing on PS5 in 2025 (Opening the door for a sequel to the upcoming film), is working on another video game called “OD” with filmmaker Jordan Peele (“Nope”), his documentary series “Connecting Worlds” will debut this year on Disney+, and he just announced a brand new game called “Physint” that takes place within the action-espionage genre using cutting-edge technology (Harkening back to his “Metal Gear” roots and could easily get a feature adaptation too).

Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts (“Kong: Skull Island”) and actor Oscar Isaac (“Moon Knight”) have been attached to a live-action “Metal Gear Solid” at Sony Pictures, although, movement on that project hasn’t been as speedy as fans would want. Then again, “Metal Gear Solid” is a mash-up of all sorts of sci-fi/action genres, politics, and philosophy, and trying to make a version that will make skittish studio executives excited could be an issue given the inherently weird choices Kojima made in the games that are intertwined within the commercially viable elements that could mirror the James Bond franchise or any military thriller.

You can watch the full HideoTube episode with English subtitles below.

SOURCE: KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS VIA YOUTUBE