During a panel at last weekend's San Diego Comic Con event, Hideo Kojima revealed the original plans for Death Stranding included Keanu Reeves being cast for the role of the villain Cliff character.
Kojima rejected the plan and wanted Mads Mikkelsen for the role instead which is how Mikkelsen got involved in the project.
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/de...n/1100-6468601