Pennywise Actor Bill Skarsgård Lands Lead Role in Hideo Kojima's Mysterious New Game PHYSINT

Bill Skarsgård, best known as Pennywise the Clown in the 'IT' films, will lead Hideo Kojima's new action‑espionage game 'PHYSINT', the creator confirmed during the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2026 Broadcast on Thursday, 17 September.

Kojima revealed the Swedish actor will portray the game's central character in what is billed as one of Kojima Productions' most closely guarded projects.

The announcement comes shortly after Xbox became the publisher of 'PHYSINT', following PlayStation's decision to step away from the project. Kojima said he and Skarsgård are 'long-time fans of each other's work' and have decided to begin the new project together.

He also revealed that costume fittings, scans and camera tests involving Skarsgård and fellow cast member Charlee Fraser had already taken place earlier this year. The filmmaker said the work gave him confidence in the direction of the project, which remains one of Kojima Productions' most closely guarded upcoming games.

Bill Skarsgård Joins PHYSINT Cast

Skarsgård brings a major Hollywood profile to 'PHYSINT', having built an international following through his portrayal of Pennywise in 'IT' and 'IT: Chapter Two'. He reprised the role in HBO's 'IT: Welcome to Derry', which was released in 2025.

His other recent film credits include 'Nosferatu', 'John Wick: Chapter 4', 'The Crow' and 'Barbarian'. He also starred in 'The Death of Robin Hood' alongside Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer.

He joins an ensemble that already includes Charlee Fraser, Don Lee and Minami Hamabe. Kojima has indicated that more casting announcements are expected, meaning the full line-up for the game has yet to be revealed.

Despite the high-profile cast, significant details about 'PHYSINT' remain under wraps. Kojima has described the project as an action-espionage game and an original intellectual property from Kojima Productions.

The developer has also positioned it as an ambitious project drawing on Kojima's decades-long career in the genre. Kojima Productions has described 'PHYSINT' as the culmination of more than 40 years of Kojima's work as a game creator, with the aim of setting a new benchmark for action-espionage games.

Hideo Kojima's Next Action-Espionage Game

'PHYSINT' was originally announced in 2024 as a PlayStation project, with Kojima describing it as a next-generation action-espionage game. The title has attracted particular attention because of Kojima's history with the 'Metal Gear' series, although 'PHYSINT' is a new intellectual property rather than a continuation of 'Metal Gear'.

The project's publishing situation changed in September 2026, when Xbox announced that it would become the publisher of 'PHYSINT'. Xbox was already working with Kojima Productions on 'OD', an upcoming horror title being developed with filmmaker Jordan Peele and featuring Sophia Lillis and Hunter Schafer.

The partnership has now expanded to include 'PHYSINT', with Xbox and Kojima Productions also saying they will collaborate across film and television.

When Will PHYSINT Be Released?

There is currently no announced release date for 'PHYSINT', and the game appears to remain in relatively early development. Kojima Productions is expected to release 'OD' before 'PHYSINT', while further details about the latter's story, gameplay and additional cast members are still being kept secret.

For now, Skarsgård's casting provides the clearest glimpse yet into Kojima's next action-espionage project. With the actor taking the lead role and Xbox now attached as publisher, 'PHYSINT' is beginning to take shape, even if much of the game remains hidden.