How does Kojima land Norman Reedus, Elle Fanning, or Margaret Qualley? The legendary Japanese creator reveals his unique approach. Actor selection plays a pivotal role in Hideo Kojima’s work, and during our recent visit to his studio, he gave us an inside look at his creative method.

There’s no denying that Hideo Kojima has pulled off something extraordinary: not only is he one of the most respected video game creators in the world, he’s also redefined the concept of industry artistry, turning his games into immersive, ongoing experiences that extend far beyond the screen. Ever since Metal Gear Solid 2, it’s been clear that to grasp Kojima’s methods, you need to pay attention even to the trailers.

But Kojima doesn’t stop there. Just like a Marvel blockbuster, his choice of actors has become an event in itself. It started with Kiefer Sutherland in Metal Gear Solid V, and soon after came Norman Reedus, Guillermo del Toro, Margaret Qualley, and Hunter Schafer. Behind each casting decision lies a personal story, a connection that adds depth to how these stars become digital avatars in his games.

We recently visited Kojima Productions, where we got to play Death Stranding 2: On The Beach for 30 hours and participate in a roundtable with Hideo Kojima himself. That’s where the topic came up, and Kojima opened up about how he recruits the faces that shape his digital narratives.

“It All Comes Down to Connection”

“It takes an incredible amount of both physical and mental energy,” Kojima explained. “We scan the actor, decide on their hairstyle, makeup, and costume, and then we generate the data. To shoot scenes, everyone has to be physically present. But it’s not like shooting a film over three or four months. We meet repeatedly as the game progresses. It’s tough on both ends. It’s not just ‘three months and goodbye.’”

“Of course, these actors are always busy with other work. So at the end of the day, it’s all about connection, just like in Death Stranding. I start with actors I admire. I watch their work and think, ‘I’d love to collaborate with them someday.’ Then I go meet them directly and pitch my idea.”

“Some of them are already fans of mine, thankfully, or maybe someone close to them knows me. From there, it’s simply a yes or no. It’s going to be a lasting partnership, so I’ll take them out to dinner or just spend time together to see if it clicks. If they’re in, then we talk to their agents.”

“For Death Stranding, I adored Lindsay Wagner. I idolized her; I own all her Blu-rays, and I’ve seen them all. But the young guy assigned to her didn’t know who she was. Still, he had no choice but to stare at her image daily. And here’s a true story: by the end of the project, I stopped by his desk and noticed a The Bionic Woman Blu-ray sitting there. When I asked him why he had it, he said seeing her face every day turned him into a fan.”

Source: 3djuegos