Kojima Productions currently has three projects in the pipeline, andODis one of the most mysterious of these.Death Stranding 2andPhysintpromise an intriguing follow-up and an espionage thriller, butODstands as a secretive and compelling horror title. Hideo Kojima made waves with the horror teaserPTback in 2014, but the endgame of that vision unfortunately never came to fruition. Even thoughPTwas a small teaser of a now-canceled game, it inspired many indie games and is still discussed within the genre, and that’s what makes Kojima’s return to horror so exciting.
So far, there isn’t much known aboutOD’s story. Announced at the 2023 Game Awards with a strange and unsettling teaser trailer, Kojima revealed that horror film heavyweight Jordan Peele would be assisting with writing.Kojima is a well-known lover of pop culture, so it’s not surprising that he’s a fan of Peele. However, what’s even more exciting is that Kojima has confirmed that Peele isn’t the only big name helping withOD. On his official YouTube channel, he has stated, “We’re actually calling them ‘The Avengers’ but we have other members like him. If I announced the names, you’d be surprised.”
Theories About Who Hideo Kojima’s “Avengers” Could Be
Guillermo Del Toro and Nicolas Winding Refn
Del Toro is a safe bet for another team-up. The horror legend has helped Kojima in the past, as the two were set to co-direct the ill-fatedSilent Hillsstarring Norman Reedus. Once Kojima Productions was formed, Del Toro and Reedus joined Kojima forDeath Stranding.OD’s teaser trailer promised a strong cast of actors, but Del Toro’s expertise as a writer and director could be just as helpful for the project. Nicolas Winding Refn also offered his likeness toDeath Stranding, and while it’s highly possible that he and Del Toro could be assisting withOD, Kojima’s hush, hush discussion of these “Avengers” suggests other names.
The likenesses of Del Toro and Winding Refn were used forDeath Stranding’s Deadman and Heartman.
Mike Flanagan
Flanagan has made his mark in the horror genrewith series likeHaunting of Hill HouseandMidnight Mass. Also, it’s worth noting that Flanagan has had a persistent presence on Kojima’s Instagram. Kojima’s Instagram is a useful tool in trying to theorize who he could be working with next, as it’s often updated with pictures of the various filmmakers and artists he has met. Of course, the two could merely be admirers of one another, but Kojima has a habit of including his favorite creators in his work.
We’re actually calling them ‘The Avengers’ but we have other members like him. If I announced the names, you’d be surprised.
Ari Aster
This horror filmmaker has also been featured on Kojima’s Instagram. Responsible for chilling works likeMidsommarandHereditary, Aster boasts the mind-bending qualities that Kojima also brings to his projects.Ari Aster’s balance of surrealism and terroris right up Kojima’s alley, so it wouldn’t be shocking for the two to collaborate in the future, even if it’s not onOD.
Lars von Trier
Another experimental legend, Lars von Trier’s portfolio isn’t fully horror. However, with films likeAntichristandThe House That Jack Built, he’s clearly skilled in the genre. He already has a connection toOD, though not directly.ODcast member Udo Kieris a longtime collaborator of von Trier, making the possible inclusion of the veteran director much more possible.
Other confirmed actors forODinclude Sophia Lillis and Hunter Schafer.
More OD News is Hopefully Imminent
It’s unclear when Kojima Productions will offer more updates onOD, but that day is hopefully coming soon. Kojima seemingly has his hands full with three projects in the works.AfterDeath Stranding 2releases this year, more insight intoODandPhysintis bound to follow.
