Movies
A24’s ‘Death Stranding’ Adaptation Enlists ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ Filmmaker to Write and Direct
It’s been a while since we’ve last received an update on A24’s adaptation of Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding, but today brings a massive update: Kojima Productions and A24 have announced that Michael Sarnoski (Death of Robin Hood, A Quiet Place: Day One, Pig) will write and direct the adaptation.
The announcement arrives as the video game’s sequel, Death Stranding 2, is gearing up for release on June 26.
The game’s title refers to “a catastrophic series of events that blurred the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead, bringing forth nightmarish creatures into a fragmented world on the brink of collapse.” The adaptation is said to delve into the mysteries surrounding “Death Stranding.”
Hideo Kojima previously said of the film, “A24 was born into this world about 10 years ago, their presence is singular within the industry, they are like no other. The films they are delivering to the world are high in quality and very innovative. I have been attracted to their creations and they have even inspired my own work. Their innovative approach to storytelling aligns with what Kojima Productions has been doing for the last eight years. Now, we are making a Death Stranding movie together.”
“There are a lot of ‘game adaptation films’ out there but what we are creating is not just a direct translation of the game. The intention is that our audience will not only be fans of the games, but our film will be for anyone who loves cinema. We are creating a Death Stranding universe that has never been seen before, achievable only through the medium of film, it will be born.”
Since its release back in 2019 on the PlayStation 4, Death Stranding has earned a cool 10 million sold across PlayStation and PC, garnering several accolades. Featuring an all-star cast including Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux, Guillermo del Toro and Margaret Qualley, Death Stranding centres on courier Sam Porter Bridges (Reedus) as he embarks on a mission to deliver hope to humanity by connecting the last survivors of a decimated America.
The live-action adaptation is being developed by A24, Hideo Kojima’s Kojima Productions and Barbarian executive producer Alex Lebovici’s Hammerstone Studios.
Of course, there’s no word on casting for the feature adaptation at this time, but with a director in place it’s only a matter of time.
Brendan Fraser is back for the upcoming fourth installment in The Mummy franchise from directors Radio Silence, and Michael Johnston (Obsession) is now in talks to join him.
The Hollywood Reporter lets us know tonight that Michael Johnston is in “early talks” to join The Mummy 4, which will release in theaters on October 15, 2027 via Universal.
Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, and John Hannah will reprise their iconic roles as Rick O’Connell, Evelyn O’Connell, and Jonathan Carnahan in the upcoming movie.
Radio Silence duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett (Ready or Not, Scream 5-6) are directing from a script by David Coggeshall (Orphan: First Kill).
Plot details are being kept under wraps at this time, but the brand new sequel is expected to disregard the events of the third movie, in which Rachel Weisz did not appear.
“It’s just really beautiful and scary and sweeping, and it’s awesome,” Gillet teases. Bettinelli-Olpin adds that the film “has all of the heart and the character that you could hope for.”
A remake of the classic Universal monster movie that took an action-adventure approach, The Mummy was released in 1999 and grossed $417 million worldwide. It was followed by The Mummy Returns in 2001 and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor in 2008.