Hideo Kojima’s mystery project OD has been quite the anticipated game in the gaming world, and after the drop of the first trailer at the Xbox Showcase at Gamescom, players have been eagerly waiting for more info surrounding the game.
While no release date or window was released at the time, Kojima revealed he and Jordan Peele are diving deep into their own personal fears to create a game that will scare almost everyone. However, just before the project could begin shooting for its actual gameplay, its most mysterious character and legendary actor, Udo Kier, passed away earlier today at 81 years of age.
Since some gamers may not have heard of him, his legacy with German cinema spans across 220 films, including his iconic role as Count Dracula. Upon his passing, OD director Hideo Kojima paid a heartfelt tribute, while hinting at the future of the game.
Hideo Kojima Pays Tribute to Iconic Actor Udo Kier and Reveals 2026 OD Production Delay
Game director and chief of Kojima Productions, Hideo Kojima, posted a heartfelt tribute to veteran actor Udo Kier on his untimely passing earlier this morning. Kojima wrote, “I’m at a loss for words. It all happened far too suddenly. Because of the strike, we weren’t able to shoot “OD” for a long time, and we were forced to reschedule to next year. Even during that time, Udo and I exchanged emails frequently. We stayed in close contact.”
“When we met in Milan at the end of September, he told me how much he was looking forward to the shoot starting up again next year. He was full of energy then too, making me laugh with his usual “Udo-isms.” I still can’t believe this. Udo wasn’t just an actor. He was truly an “icon” of his time. We’ve lost a great “icon.” There will never be another like him. Udo, rest in peace. I will never forget you”, Kojima revealed.
While Kojima’s words were directed towards his love for Udo and his talent as an actor, he revealed that Kier was yet to shoot his part in OD in 2026’s production schedule. Since most of 2025 has been full of Hollywood actor strikes and Kojima’s DS2 release, 2026 was the year when he was supposed to shoot the actors and actual gameplay for OD, alongside Jordan Peele.
However, with Udo’s untimely passing, the future of OD remains uncertain. Possibly, Kojima may still honor him by using his facial and voice models to create his character using his VFX magic, or another actor may need to fill the shoes that Udo left with his mysterious charm in the first OD teaser.
Who do you think could replace Udo Kier in OD? Or do you think Kojima will still honor him using his facial scans and voice? Let us know in the comments.
