Margaret Qualley Joins Death Stranding After Starring in Unique Perfume Ad Dance

Hideo Kojima, the renowned game director, recently shared the inspiration behind casting Margaret Qualley as Mama in the critically acclaimed game Death Stranding. In a tweet on April 25, Kojima revealed that he was captivated by Qualley's performance in a Spike Jonze-directed fragrance advertisement for Kenzo, leading him to offer her the role of Mama, also known as Lockne.

The advertisement features Qualley in a mesmerizing dance sequence set to a pulsating bass track reminiscent of Fat Boy Slim's iconic "Weapon of Choice" video, which showcased Christopher Walken's impressive dance moves. In the Kenzo ad, Qualley's dance is characterized by intense movements, including shakes, grimaces, and even spasms, culminating in a surreal moment where she appears to shoot lasers from her fingers. This unique performance caught Kojima's eye, prompting him to envision Qualley as the perfect fit for the role of Mama in Death Stranding.

In the game, Qualley portrays Mama, or Målingen, a brilliant scientist in the United Cities of America who, alongside her twin sister Lockne (also played by Qualley), develops the Chiral Network. This innovative communication system is crucial for Bridges, enabling instant data transfer across the game's world.

Kojima's tweet about the casting decision quickly went viral, sparking reactions from fans. One admirer praised Kojima's visionary approach, while another humorously suggested that their own morning routines were audition-worthy.

Currently, Kojima is deeply involved in multiple high-profile projects. Death Stranding 2 is set to launch on June 26, 2025. Additionally, he is collaborating on a live-action Death Stranding film with A24, and working on OD, an Xbox-published game described by Kojima as one he has always wanted to create. He is also developing a PlayStation exclusive action espionage project, keeping fans eagerly anticipating his next moves in the gaming and entertainment industries.