Margaret Qualley Joins Death Stranding Cast After Bizarre Perfume Ad Dance

Hideo Kojima recently disclosed that he cast Margaret Qualley as Mama in the acclaimed game Death Stranding after being captivated by her performance in a Spike Jonze-directed Kenzo fragrance advertisement. Kojima shared the viral commercial on X (formerly Twitter) on April 25, 2025, stating, "I saw this and offered her the role of Mama (Lockne) in Death Stranding."

In the advertisement, Qualley delivers a mesmerizing dance performance, reminiscent of the iconic Fat Boy Slim video "Weapon of Choice" featuring Christopher Walken. Her choreography includes unique moves with shakes, grimaces, and even firing lasers from her fingers, all set to a pulsating bass track.

Qualley portrays Mama, or Målingen, a pivotal character in Death Stranding. She is one of the most innovative scientists within the United Cities of America, known for her groundbreaking work on the Chiral Network, a critical communications system developed with her twin sister, Lockne, also portrayed by Qualley.

The full Kenzo fragrance advertisement, showcasing Qualley's unusual yet captivating dance routine, can be viewed below:

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 were quick to react to Kojima's revelation. 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 deeply engaged in several ambitious projects. He is finalizing Death Stranding 2, set for release on June 26, 2025, and is also involved in a live-action Death Stranding film in collaboration with A24. Additionally, he's developing OD, an Xbox-published game he describes as his dream project, alongside a new PlayStation-exclusive action espionage title.