How Bill Skarsgard Became The Face Of Hideo Kojima’s Physint
Hideo Kojima announced that Bill Skarsgard, known for “It” and “Boy Kills World,” will star as the protagonist in Physint, his spiritual successor to Metal Gear Solid. The casting news emerged during a 79-minute episode of Kojima’s Koji10 podcast, marking the show’s return after a year-long hiatus.
Skarsgard’s involvement came through an unexpected path. Kojima was introduced to the actor by Yoann “Woodkik” Lemoine, composer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The introduction occurred when Skarsgard visited Lemoine’s studio and discovered it filled with Kojima Productions merchandise. Intrigued by the discovery, Skarsgard learned of Lemoine’s work with Kojima Productions, ultimately leading to his casting.
Kojima expressed his long-standing desire to collaborate with Skarsgard, praising the actor’s film performances and noting that respected directors with whom he’s connected have spoken highly of working with him. Beyond the casting announcement, the podcast episode provided broader development updates on Physint, now described as a “next-generation action-espionage game.”
The announcement comes as Physint navigates a significant industry shift. Reports recently revealed that Sony had planned to cancel the project due to missed deadlines and budget concerns as its original publisher. However, Microsoft subsequently acquired the project, making Xbox its new platform home. This transition represents a pivotal moment for one of Kojima Productions’ most high-profile post-Metal Gear endeavors.