The Death Stranding movie just received a long-awaited production update from writer/director Michael Sarnoski. The project has been in development for a few years, and the update not only sheds light on the screenplay but also hints at its creative direction.

Michael Sarnoski gives key update on status of Death Stranding movie

In a recent interview with Collider, Michael Sarnoski shared that the script for the Death Stranding live-action adaptation is completed. However, he added that he is “working on a revision right now” to make the story stronger and deepen its themes. He also said that Death Stranding creator Hideo Kojima has approved the script.

Interestingly, the movie will not retell the game’s story. Instead, Sarnoski plans to focus on new characters living in the same world. “It’s an original story within that world where you might see some characters from the game pop up,” the filmmaker said.

“But really, the core is about these kinds of new characters and their journey,” Sarnoski continued. “The goal is to really sort of capture the feeling of when I played the game and the themes that really spoke to me, the themes of connection, both across space and time, through generations, and isolation, and expression and creativity. They’re all these things that I found really moving in the game.”

A24, the production company, has yet to announce the adaptation’s cast. Since the movie tells an original story with new characters, it’s likely to have a completely different cast from the game. Meanwhile, Sarnoski is reportedly hoping to film it in Iceland and Northern Ireland, per Variety.

The original Death Stranding game, released in 2019 on PlayStation 4, follows Sam Porter Bridges, played by Norman Reedus. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic United States, where Sam works as a courier, delivering supplies and reconnecting isolated communities after a supernatural disaster devastated the world. Throughout his journey, he travels with a mysterious infant in a pod strapped to his chest.