Margaret Qualley Joins Death Stranding Cast After Impressive Perfume Ad Dance

Hideo Kojima, renowned game director, recently shared the intriguing story behind casting Margaret Qualley as Mama in Death Stranding. Kojima's decision came after he saw Qualley's captivating performance in a Spike Jonze-directed Kenzo fragrance advertisement. In a tweet dated April 25, Kojima expressed, "I saw this and offered her the role of Mama (Lockne) in Death Stranding," accompanied by the viral commercial video.

The advertisement features Qualley engaging in a unique dance routine set to a bass-heavy track reminiscent of Fat Boy Slim's "Weapon of Choice," famously featuring Christopher Walken. Qualley's performance includes shaking, grimacing, and even firing lasers from her fingers, showcasing a blend of control and chaos.

In Death Stranding, Qualley portrays Mama, also known as Målingen, a brilliant scientist within the United Cities of America. She plays a pivotal role in developing the Chiral Network, a revolutionary communications system crucial for the game's narrative. Interestingly, Qualley also plays Mama's twin sister, Lockne, adding depth to her character portrayal.

Kojima's tweet sparked enthusiastic responses from fans. One fan praised, "You are a visionary, Kojima-san," while another humorously remarked, "I do this most mornings, Kojima-san. Hire me too."

Currently, Kojima is not resting on his laurels. He's actively involved in multiple projects, including Death Stranding 2, set to release on June 26, 2025, a live-action Death Stranding film in collaboration with A24, and OD, an Xbox-published game described by Kojima as "a game I have always wanted to make." Additionally, he's working on a new PlayStation exclusive action espionage project, further expanding his creative portfolio.

To watch the full, mesmerizing Kenzo fragrance advertisement featuring Margaret Qualley, click on the link provided in Kojima's tweet:

I saw this and offered her the role of Mama (Lockne) in Death Stranding. https://t.co/UDJa2NjbO6

— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) April 25, 2025