Full Breakdown
Hideo Kojima Says He’d Like to Die in a Movie Theater
7/22/2026, 3:56:43 AM
Kojima’s Wish to Die in a Movie Theater
At the Piccolo America Foundation’s 12th Il Cinema in Piazza outdoor film festival in Rome, the 62-year-old creator of *Metal Gear Solid* and *Death Stranding* told the audience he would like to pass away just as a film begins.
Cinematic Passion and Pandemic Reflections
The pandemic intensified his contemplation of mortality: after a serious illness and eye surgery, he said he began questioning how many years he has left to create, estimating perhaps ten. He also voiced a broader fear of time, saying he worries about dying, dementia, and forgetting things without realizing it.
Recent Festival Appearances and Film Selections
During the same Rome event, Kojima introduced several classic films. On June 5 he presented Dario Argento’s *Profondo Rosso* (1975), praising the moment when the protagonist and viewer discover the truth simultaneously. On July 4 he introduced Shunya Ito’s 1972 *Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41*, noting its inventive cinematography and low-budget creativity as influences on his own game design.
Statements on Physical Media and Future Projects
Kojima lamented the industry shift toward digital distribution, remarking that the end of physical production in 2028 makes him “really sad” because he grew up with physical media. He added that he has been buying Blu-rays and CDs in response. The creator is currently developing an experimental horror game titled *OD*, to be published by Xbox Game Studios in collaboration with director Jordan Peele, though no release window has been announced.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’ve always thought that when I die, I would like to die in a movie theater,” — Hideo Kojima
- “Since production is ending in 2028, this is about video games, but I grew up with physical media, so I find it really sad,” — Hideo Kojima
