Death Stranding movie director Michael Sarnoski says we may see some characters from the games despite the adaptation being “very much its own thing”
A24 is developing a live-action adaptation of the video game Death Stranding, with director Michael Sarnoski (A Quiet Place: Day One) attached to the project. Speaking at IGN Live 2026, Sarnoski revealed that he is currently writing the screenplay and working closely with A24 and Hideo Kojima, the original game’s creator.
While confirming that the film will remain “very much its own thing,” Sarnoski indicated that some characters from the original Death Stranding game may appear in the movie. This approach suggests the filmmakers are balancing fidelity to the source material with creative autonomy in adapting the game’s complex narrative and themes for a live-action audience.
The Death Stranding adaptation is part of A24’s broader expansion into video game adaptations, with the studio also developing an Elden Ring film. As a cinematic game with philosophical themes and unique storytelling, Death Stranding presents both opportunities and challenges for a live-action translation that requires careful adaptation of its gameplay-driven narrative concepts.