Margaret Qualley Joins Death Stranding After Starring in Quirky Perfume Ad

Hideo Kojima has shared the intriguing story behind casting Margaret Qualley as Mama in the critically acclaimed game Death Stranding. The decision came after Kojima was captivated by Qualley's performance in a Kenzo fragrance advertisement directed by Spike Jonze. In a tweet on April 25, Kojima revealed, "I saw this and offered her the role of Mama (Lockne) in Death Stranding," alongside a link to the viral commercial.

The advertisement features Qualley in a dance routine that echoes the style of Fat Boy Slim's iconic "Weapon of Choice" video, which showcased Christopher Walken's memorable dance moves. Qualley's performance includes shaking, grimacing, and even firing lasers from her fingers, showcasing a unique and captivating choreography.

In Death Stranding, Qualley portrays Mama, officially known as Målingen, a brilliant scientist in the United Cities of America. Alongside her twin sister, Lockne, also played by Qualley, she is instrumental in developing the Chiral Network, a vital communications system for Bridges that enables instant data transfer across the game's world.

Kojima's tweet about Qualley's casting sparked a range of reactions from fans. One admirer praised Kojima's vision, saying, "You are a visionary, Kojima-san," while another humorously suggested, "I do this most mornings, Kojima-san. Hire me too."

Currently, Kojima is immersed in multiple high-profile projects. Death Stranding 2 is set to launch on June 26, 2025. Additionally, he's collaborating on a live-action Death Stranding film with A24, and working on OD, an Xbox-published game he describes as "a game I have always wanted to make." Kojima is also developing a new PlayStation exclusive action espionage project, keeping fans eagerly awaiting his next creative endeavors.