Casting Meryl For A Live-Action Metal Gear Solid Movie: 7 Perfect Actors

Published Jul 30, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT Angel Shaw is a Lead Writer and Critic on ScreenRant's TV team, covering new-release and classic TV shows across all major streaming platforms. She has been a writer with ScreenRant since 2022 and specializes in Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and fantasy. Angel holds a bachelor's degree in language interpreting and is passionate about all things culture and communication—especially in how it relates to popular media throughout history (from Shakespeare to Friends to Game of Thrones). Sign in to your ScreenRant account When the day finally arrives that Metal Gear becomes a live-action movie, an excellent actor will need to be selected to play Meryl Silverburgh. Video game adaptations have long been divisive, since it is rare for one to go particularly well. However, if there was ever a game that deserved to be turned into a full cinematic experience, it's Metal Gear. After all, Hideo Kojima's games might as well be considered interactive films, as they are known for complex storytelling, extensive lore, and far-longer-than-usual cut scenes. Despite the fact that Metal Gear is already perfectly formatted for a film adaptation, the project has yet to come to be. It's not for a lack of trying. Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts spent years developing a script, and actor Oscar Isaac was originally attached to play Solid Snake. After years of delays, however, this pair has officially confirmed that the project is dead. It's a real shame, but Sony Pictures is, at least, proceeding with a different creative team. Duo Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein are in the process of creating a Metal Gear Solid adaptation for Columbia Pictures. While this new version of the Metal Gear movie with Lipovsky and Stein is confirmed, the pair are still in the very earliest stages of development. There has been no casting information revealed, so it seems there is currently no one in mind to step into the role previously reserved for Isaac. Without Solid Snake, we certainly can't expect a Meryl Silverburgh casting announcement just yet. Still, we can dream. Fiona Dourif Image via Max Fiona Dourif has more than proven herself in high-intensity, high-stress, and psychologically tense projects. Known for The Pitt and the Chucky film franchise, Dourif excels at playing tough and even eccentric characters, adding a gritty, no-nonsense edge to her roles. This would work well for Meryl, who begins as a determined rookie before being shaped into a hardened and profoundly sure military leader. Dourif is older than Meryl is seen to be in the Metal Gear games, but she has an eternally youthful presence and a striking visual resemblance to this character. If Meryl were to be aged up a bit more, beginning in her 20s rather than at 18, it would be more than easy for Dourif to step into the role in a way that wouldn't have us questioning it for more than a moment. Then, depending on how much ground the Metal Gear Solid movie covers, the time jump should help Dourif fit in even better with the character. Florence Pugh Florence Pugh is more on track with the older version of Meryl's character, so she might be an even better pick. Pugh is known for her ability to jump effortlessly between genres, though high action and high emotion have become her strong points. On the surface level, Pugh could be considered soft and feminine, as seen in Greta Gerwig's Little Women. However, she has also proven her grit and intensity playing Yelena in the MCU. As excellent a physical fit Pugh is to play Meryl in a Metal Gear movie, it would really be the emotional and psychological aspects of this character that would allow her to shine. Pugh is a visceral and raw performer, bringing painfully believable vulnerability to her characters. On screen, there's no doubt that this actor would make us truly feel for Meryl and her traumas. Jane Levy It's immediately clear when looking at Jane Levy that she could very easily step into Meryl's shoes. The physical resemblance is quite striking, from her red hair to her sharply defined facial features. Once again, Levy is a bit older than Meryl is even after the time jump, but there's really no questioning that this actor could play a 27-year-old character. Additionally, with a history in projects like Evil Dead and Don't Breathe, the gritty intensity of Metal Gear Solid wouldn't be an issue. Of course, the key to Meryl's character is the contrast between her intense physical capabilities and her emotional vulnerability. Levy has repeatedly demonstrated how easily she can deconstruct herself psychologically, presenting a devastated and highly distressed character with ease. Still, this is balanced out with hard intensity when it is needed—just as we see with Meryl Silverburgh. Karen Gillan Karen Gillan is another red-headed MCU star, so she is exceptionally well qualified to play Meryl in the Metal Gear Solid movie. In addition to the Guardian of the Galaxy movies, Gillan has established a strong reputation for herself in the newer Jumanji movies, balancing out witty comedy with fun and exciting action sequences. The demands of combat choreography would be nothing new, and Gillan's performances as Nebula demonstrate just how fierce, guarded, and resilient this actor can be. While height wouldn't necessarily be a deal-breaker when it comes to other potential actors, Gillan certainly has an edge in this regard. Meryl is canonically 5-foot-9-inches, while Gillan stands even taller at 5-foot-11-inches. Meryl is a statuesque career soldier, and that's something Gillan could pull off without even breaking a sweat. Emma Stone Emma Stone isn't much younger than the other actors on this list, but she's known for playing women in their 20s on screen. She would therefore be a great pick for the Metal Gear movie if it begins, as the games do, with Meryl being 18 years old. Stone has a youthful innocence about her that would work well with the more idealistic, quick-witted rookie approach. Then, we've seen firsthand that Stone can easily harden up her performance when the occasion calls for it, all while keeping her character emotionally accessible and realistic. Beyond all that, Stone's signature spunkiness is what would uniquely qualify her to play Meryl. The actor doesn't have extensive experience in the action genre, but she can certainly hold her own. If she were cast in the Metal Gear Solid movie, it would place the primary focus on Meryl's shrewd intelligence and determination rather than just her physical prowess. Rebecca Ferguson A background in the Mission: Impossible franchise is more than enough to prove that Rebecca Ferguson can handle just about any role in the action genre. Known for her tough-as-nails, no-nonsense aura, Ferguson is a shoo-in for a character like Meryl. Layer on her experience playing emotionally dynamic and conflicted characters, and any Metal Gear featuring this actor would immediately feel more grounded. In addition to Mission: Impossible, Ferguson is known for the TV series Silo and the Dune film franchise, both of which demonstrate her ability to work alongside physically imposing and dominating male characters without fading into the background. Vulnerability may be a taller order for Ferguson, but when it comes to the point that Meryl is far beyond her rookie status, there could hardly be anyone better. Emily Blunt Emily Blunt may be a more unique choice, but this actor is nothing if not versatile. The last decade of her career has been full of large-scale action projects, and Blunt manages to shine through every moment. Blunt has a naturally commanding presence and a mature range, making her specifically qualified to play the more war-seasoned version of Meryl's character. She's also effortless in comedy, bringing light quirkiness to even the most intense characters. Even with that light, comedic, yet somehow intense presence, Blunt has done exceptionally well in the thriller genre, notably bringing a determined sort of terror and emotional vulnerability to 2018's A Quiet Place. There's a sort of physical clarity here that any Metal Gear movie would absolutely benefit from. Created by Hideo Kojima Cast David Hayter, Akio Otsuka, Quinton Flynn, Robin Atkin Downes, Christopher Randolph, Paul Eiding, Debi Mae West, Jennifer Hale Character(s) Solid Snake, Big Boss, Liquid Snake, Raiden, Revolver Ocelot, The Boss, Gray Fox, Otacon Video Game(s) Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear: Ghost Babel, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004), Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Metal Gear Survive, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater "Metal Gear" is a renowned stealth action video game franchise created by Hideo Kojima and developed by Konami. The series debuted in 1987 with the release of "Metal Gear" for the MSX2 platform. Over the years, it has evolved to include multiple sequels, prequels, and spin-offs, expanding its intricate narrative and gameplay mechanics. The franchise is celebrated for pioneering the stealth game genre and integrating cinematic storytelling elements into video games. As of December 2023, the series has sold 61 million units worldwide.