The Game Awards was a great opportunity to celebrate generation-defining titles like Elden Ring and God of War Ragnarok. Gamers also got a look at what the industry will be serving up next. To the delight of many, Hideo Kojima revealed that Death Stranding 2 is in development. From prior marketing, nobody would be faulted for assuming that Elle Fanning would make an appearance in the reveal trailer. However, that seemingly wasn't the case.Fanning's no-show could be a sign that the next Death Stranding game holds more secrets than initially expected. It could also be confirmation of theories that fans have already been stitching together regarding her role in Death Stranding 2. It seems fans will have to wait for further trailers and details before they'll receive the desperately craved answers.
Hideo Kojima's Cryptic Death Stranding 2 Marketing
Kojima has never been formulaic when it comes to both the design of his games and the marketing. This was the case with Death Stranding, a game that features unique gameplay and may have birthed a new 'Strand' genre. Kojima appears to be once again going for the eccentrically cryptic approach when it comes to the Death Stranding sequel. While this may frustrate some gamers, it is a fun way of keeping fans on their toes and always guessing about what the auteur will deliver next.
Hints that something is brewing over at Kojima Production came when, in 2022, gamers received strange posters featuring famous performers along with questions such as "WHO AM I?". One of the posters had Elle Fanning, while another features Deadpool 2 actress Shioli Kutsuna. At The Game Awards 2022, fans were finally treated to a trailer announcing that Death Stranding 2 is on the way. Although short, the trailer contains several tiny details. Fragile will be back, and it appears that gamers will be learning more about her backstory. Sam Bridges also makes an appearance, although he looks much older. Despite what fans may have expected, Fanning is seemingly nowhere to be found.
Has Elle Fanning Been Seen or Not?
At first glance, it appears that the trailer doesn't introduce Fanning's character yet. This would be an incredibly trollish move on Kojima's part, as he is likely very aware that gamers are curious to know what role she will play. However, there may be the possibility that her character has been snuck in, or at least a much younger version of her. When Fanning's poster was revealed, Kojima also posted images of Fanning doing various odd poses. Eagle-eyed gamers have noticed that some of the posers that Fanning is in are the same poses available to Lou in Death Stranding.
As players learn in the game, Lou is Sam's unborn child. Although Deadman, at one point, states that Sam's unborn child is a male, later evidence reveals his wife, Lucy, had a daughter. In Death Stranding 2's trailer, Fragile rescues a child wearing a bib with "Louise" printed on it - easy to miss but definitely present. This makes it possible that the baby that Fragile was seen protecting in the trailer is the infant version of Lou and that, as fans have theorized, Fanning may play an older version of Sam's daughter. Though the theory is compelling, it is impossible to feel confident about any prediction when it comes to Kojima, who loves toying with his fans' expectations.
With no release date given, it may still be a while before gamers get their hands on this title. It does not seem like it will be a carbon copy of its predecessor, as there are new environments in Death Stranding 2, which could lead to new gameplay. Whatever Kojima has cooking, it is certain to be yet another subversive experience.
Death Stranding 2 is currently in development.
