Danny and Michael Philippou, the directors of Talk to Me, will appear in Death Stranding 2 with full cameo and voice roles.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is one of the most talked-about games set to release later this month. Hideo Kojima’s next entry in the strange, emotional, and often unpredictable universe is coming to PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025, and fans have been counting the days.
A brand-new cutscene trailer shown at Summer Game Fest only added more fuel to the fire, giving a new look at the game’s updated visuals and new characters. Alongside returning stars like Norman Reedus and Léa Seydoux, Kojima has already brought in some big names, including Elle Fanning, George Miller, and even VTuber Usada Pekora.
Now, he’s added another unexpected duo to the lineup, this time from the world of horror filmmaking.
‘Bring Her Back’ Directors Danny and Michael Philippou Are in Death Stranding 2
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Hideo Kojima confirmed that Talk to Me and Bring Her Back directors Danny and Michael Philippou will appear in Death Stranding 2 with a full in-game cameo. Not only that, they’ve also done the voice work for their characters.
“Danny and Michael Philippou make a cameo appearance in Death Stranding 2. They also did the voiceover,” Kojima wrote.
The two appear to be fully motion-captured in the game, based on the images Kojima shared. In one image, they’re seen interacting with Sam Porter Bridges (played by Norman Reedus) inside what looks like a facility.
Before their breakout in horror, the Philippou brothers built a huge online following through their chaotic YouTube channel RackaRacka, where they blended outrageous stunts with gory special effects and action-comedy sketches.
Their work eventually earned them attention from the film world, and in 2022, they exploded onto the horror scene with Talk to Me, a supernatural thriller that became an instant cult favorite. Now, they released their second feature film, Bring Her Back, which hit theaters just last month in May 2025.
One character is wearing a pink leather jacket, while the other is wearing a white t-shirt.. Another promo render shows them clearly as digital avatars, meaning they’ll likely be more than just background cameos.
While these fun additions build more excitement, Kojima recently said he’s a little worried by how positive early feedback has been. “Maybe this is a problem,” he told Game Informer, suggesting the first game’s mixed reaction helped it stand out more.
What do you think of the Philippou brothers joining the cast? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
