Margaret Qualley Joins Death Stranding Cast After Bizarre Perfume Ad Dance

Hideo Kojima has revealed that he cast Margaret Qualley in the role of Mama in Death Stranding after being captivated by her performance in a Spike Jonze-directed fragrance advertisement for Kenzo. In a tweet dated April 25, Kojima shared the viral commercial, stating, "I saw this and offered her the role of Mama (Lockne) in Death Stranding."

The advertisement features Qualley dancing to a bass-heavy track, reminiscent of Fat Boy Slim's iconic "Weapon of Choice" video, which showcased Christopher Walken's dance moves. Qualley's performance includes a unique choreography where she shakes, grimaces, and even fires lasers from her fingers, capturing the attention of viewers and Kojima alike.

In Death Stranding, Qualley portrays Mama — Målingen — a brilliant scientist within the United Cities of America. Alongside her twin sister, Lockne, also played by Qualley, she is instrumental in developing the Chiral Network, a crucial communication system for Bridges that enables instant data transfer.

The Kenzo fragrance ad, which you can watch below, showcases Qualley's dynamic and unusual dance routine, which includes moments where she appears to struggle to control her movements. This performance not only went viral but also caught Kojima's eye, leading to her casting in the game.

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

Fans on social media were quick to react to Kojima's revelation. One fan praised him, saying, "You are a visionary, Kojima-san," while another humorously remarked, "I do this most mornings, Kojima-san. Hire me too."

Currently, Hideo Kojima is busy with multiple projects. He is working on 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 he describes as "a game I have always wanted to make." Additionally, he is developing a PlayStation exclusive action espionage project.