Hideo Kojima revealed he cast Margaret Qualley as Mama in Death Stranding after watching her in a Spike Jonze fragrance ad.
Today, April 25, he shared the viral commercial on Twitter, writing: "I saw this and offered her the role of Mama (Lockne) in Death Stranding."
The ad features Qualley dancing to a pulsing dance track, reminiscent of Fat Boy Slim’s iconic Weapon of Choice video starring the toe-tapping Christopher Walken.
Qualley portrays Mama — Målingen — a brilliant member of Bridges and one of the most innovative scientists in the United Cities of America. Alongside her twin sister Lockne, also played by Qualley, she developed the Chiral Network, Bridges’ instant data-transfer communication system.In the Kenzo fragrance commercial, Qualley performs an eccentric, choreographed dance—shaking, grimacing, and occasionally spasming, even firing lasers from her fingers at one point. In another sequence, she dances while visibly struggling to control her movements. Watch the full, strange, and wildly entertaining performance 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
"You are a visionary, Kojima-san," replied one fan, while another quipped: "I do this most mornings, Kojima-san. Hire me too."
Kojima is currently developing Death Stranding 2, set for release on June 26, 2025; the live-action Death Stranding film with A24; and the Xbox-published OD, which he calls "a game I have always wanted to make." He’s also working on a PlayStation-exclusive action espionage title.
