The Death Stranding film adaptation is starting to look far more tangible, with director Michael Sarnoski signaling that the project is moving forward in a meaningful way. Speaking to Variety, the filmmaker behind Pig and A Quiet Place: Day One said he has now delivered a second draft of the script and is aiming to begin filming next year in Iceland and Northern Ireland.

That update makes Death Stranding sound like Sarnoski’s most immediate major feature, especially since he also noted that he wants to shift to a smaller, more personal low-budget project once this movie is finished. For fans of Kojima’s strange and atmospheric universe, it is one of the clearest signs yet that the adaptation is taking shape beyond early announcement-stage momentum.

"I want it to feel big, but also offbeat and character driven," Sarnoski said. "This takes place in the world of the video game, but I have my own set of characters. There are some like overlapping characters that fans will be excited to see, but it’s very much my own story within this universe."

That creative direction may be the most intriguing detail so far. Rather than simply retelling the games beat for beat, the movie appears to be carving out its own path inside the same setting. In other words, viewers should expect something connected to Death Stranding lore and tone, while still giving Sarnoski room to tell a story that stands on its own.

Exactly where the film fits alongside the games is still unknown, and there is no confirmation yet on which familiar faces will appear. Even so, the possibility of recognizable characters remains part of the appeal. Hideo Kojima filled the two games with notable screen actors, and Norman Reedus has already said he would be open to reprising his role as Sam Porter Bridges in the film.

Behind the scenes, the production has some serious creative backing. A24 is producing the film alongside Ari Aster and producing partner Lars Knudsen, while Kojima remains heavily involved with the production. For a property as distinctive as Death Stranding, that level of involvement matters, especially for fans hoping the adaptation preserves the series’ unusual identity rather than smoothing it into a more conventional blockbuster.

The movie is only one part of a broader expansion for the franchise. Kojima has said he has ideas for a third Death Stranding game, although he is not planning to make it himself. At the same time, the series is also branching out with an animated TV series and an anime film in development.

And beyond the world of porters, BTs, and fractured connections, Kojima is also busy with other projects. He is currently developing OD and Physint, underscoring just how many different directions his studio is pursuing at once.

For now, the biggest takeaway is simple: the Death Stranding movie is moving closer to cameras, and it does not sound like a straightforward copy of the games. Instead, it is shaping up as a character-focused story set inside Kojima’s haunting universe, with just enough overlap to give longtime players something to watch for.