The long-gestating Death Stranding movie adaptation is finally gaining momentum after years of radio silence. The original video game stars Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux, and Margaret Qualley, and follows Sam Porter Bridges (Reedus) as he traverses a fractured America delivering cargo and reconnecting humanity. The 2019 game was critically acclaimed due to director Hideo Kojima’s signature narrative complexity.

Announced in 2022, A24 will reportedly back the upcoming movie project, with Kojima as producer. In April 2025, Death Stranding‘s movie found its director in Michael Sarnoski. Aside from a few updates — including Death Stranding‘s 2027 release plan and announcement of a separate anime adaptation — details have remained under wraps. However, a new interview suggests that things are finally moving forward.

In an interview with ScreenRant‘s Grant Hermanns for London Calling, Death Stranding producer Allan Ungar offered a rare update on the upcoming movie. Though Ungar remained тιԍнт-lipped about specifics, he confirmed the film is “in active development” and “moving in a very positive direction,” providing the most concrete update fans have had in years. Check out his update below:

ScreenRant: You were part of the Death Stranding team last time we talked, and it was still sort of slow-going. Now it’s starting to gain speed. How involved are you in the new version? I haven’t seen your name in some of the recent reports.

Allan Ungar: It’s in active development. So, like all these things, it’s always something can’t really talk about. But I will say that it’s moving in a very positive direction.

What This Means For The Death Stranding Movie

With a surreal, post-apocalyptic world and a story that blends sci-fi, philosophy, and existential horror, Death Stranding always seemed destined for the big screen, but until now, updates have been few and far between. However, Ungar’s statement indicates that the film is no longer in development limbo. “Active development” typically means that writing, pre-production, or early casting decisions are underway.

Previously, Norman Reedus expressed interest in returning as Sam Porter Bridges. However, Kojima has hinted that the film will deviate from the game, suggesting a more narrative-driven, possibly standalone story set in the Death Stranding universe. But considering the expected 2027 release and Ungar’s “very positive” comment, the movie adaptation looks to be on track.

Our Take On Death Stranding’s Latest Update

Ungar’s Death Stranding movie update may be small, but it’s significant. Video game live-action adaptations have experienced a resurgence recently, from тιтles like The Last of Us to Five Nights at Freddy’s. Therefore, there’s never been a better time for Death Stranding, especially as it’s positioned to stand out with its philosophical themes, striking world-building, and A-list creative team.

Despite the continued silence on movie development, Ungar’s confirmation is a sign that production hasn’t stalled altogether. With Kojima’s cinematic instincts and A24’s reputation, Death Stranding could break new ground in game-to-film adaptations, making it an exciting project. Hopefully, we will receive more updates in the coming months now that the film is in active development.