Death Stranding movie director says the script is nearly done and will focus on new characters

Director Michael Sarnoski stopped by IGN Live 2026 to give a status update on the Death Stranding movie he's writing and directing for A24, with Hideo Kojima producing. The short version: the script is nearly finished.

Sarnoski told IGN's Tom Jorgensen, "I'm writing the script right now and hopefully almost done with that. They've read a draft. We're working on some revisions together, and they all seem super excited and happy with it." He also shared a telling detail about collaborating with Kojima — the game director read the script and independently caught every cinematic reference Sarnoski had buried in it, including a Come and See nod, without being prompted. "He just knows movies incredibly well," Sarnoski said.

The film will center on new characters rather than Sam Porter Bridges or other familiar faces from the game. Sarnoski drew a direct parallel to his work on A Quiet Place: Day One — the appeal of playing in an established sandbox while telling a personal story. "There are such fundamental themes in Death Stranding about connection and expression that it was easy for me to find a character that made sense in that world," he said. That said, he left the door open: "You might see some characters from the game pop up" — but the film is designed to stand on its own, running alongside the game's world rather than retelling it.

No production timeline or release window has been announced. Sarnoski's full interview, covering his other upcoming project The Death of Robin Hood, goes live on IGN this Sunday.