Death Stranding is a genre-defying game with a narrative that is as strange as its gameplay. Players meet Sam Bridges, who manages to make deliveries in a dystopian world thanks to his Bridge Baby named Lou. It isn't the last gamers will be seeing these characters, as Kojima has confirmed that Death Stranding 2 is on the way. The current prevailing theory among fans is that Fanning will be playing an older version of Lou in Death Stranding 2, and there is some evidence from promotional material that supports this. If this theory is true, there are a few ways her character could be used in the upcoming game.
As the trailer showed, Lou is older, so she likely won't be used as a BT-detecting partner any longer. However, she could still play a prominent role in the upcoming game should it focus on her relationship with Sam. Fanning's role in the upcoming game could also be related to the tagline mentioned in the trailer, which questions whether connections are really worth it. Gamers could receive more information on Death Stranding 2 from Kojima Productions in 2023, though it is unlikely to launch this year.
Elle Fanning and Death Stranding 2
There has been a lot of curiosity surrounding Fanning's role, as it appears she will be an important piece of the upcoming game. In Kojima's podcast called Brain Structure, gaming journalist Geoff Keighley revealed that Fanning was chosen because Kojima is a major fan of hers. Kojima also highlighted Fanning's importance to the upcoming game, pointing out that he would have had to throw out all the scenes with Fanning's character had she said no to the role. Despite this, the video game auteur has still kept his lips shut regarding what Fanning's role will be, though gamers have been speculating using the few available clues.
One theory is that Fanning may play a younger version of Fragile. There is some basis to this idea, as the reveal trailer spends more time on Fragile than it does on Sam, suggesting that she may be more prominent in the upcoming game. Another theory argues that Fanning will play an older version of Sam's Bridge Baby. Further evidence from Kojima's Twitter has increased the popularity of this theory, making it worthwhile to consider how Lou will affect Death Stranding 2.
What Could Lou's Role in Death Stranding 2 Be?
A toddler version of Lou is seen in the Death Stranding 2 release trailer. As Lou is no longer a fetus, she may not be able to perform the same BT-sensing functions she did in the first game. Nevertheless, Lou is still likely to be very important, as it is established in the first game that Lou is special even among BBs. In the brief glimpse players get of Lou in the upcoming game's trailer, the baby is rescued by Fragile, which suggests that she will once again be a centerpiece character who is desired by many parties.
Sam and Lou have a special relationship because she is his daughter. The upcoming game could explore this relationship and its developments further, which would be interesting to witness, as Sam struggles greatly with any kind of intimacy. In the Death Stranding 2 trailer, Sam Bridges has aged, and his hair is gray. This could suggest a time-lapse, which may make Lou old enough to begin craving a deeper relationship with her father. However, it should be noted that in the world of Death Stranding, there could be several reasons for Sam's aging, including exposure to Timefall.
The reveal trailer poses the question "Should We Have Connected?", which is the opposite of the first game's main theme which focused on building connections. Death Stranding 2's tagline may hint at what's to come. If Fanning does play Lou, the upcoming game could have Higgs using more subtle ways to capture her, including influence and persuasion made possible by the new connections in society.
It appears that Death Stranding 2 will be just as eccentric as its predecessor, and gamers will have a hard time trying to predict what Kojima Productions is working on. Fanning's character could go in a few directions, and they are all interesting. Whether she ends up as a younger Fragile, older Lou, or someone else entirely, Death Stranding 2's story is set to be full of surprises.
Death Stranding 2 is currently in development.
