Hideo Kojima has shared the intriguing story behind casting Margaret Qualley as Mama in the critically acclaimed game Death Stranding. Kojima revealed on X (formerly Twitter) on April 25 that he was inspired to offer her the role after seeing her performance in a Spike Jonze-directed Kenzo fragrance advertisement.
In his tweet, Kojima stated, "I saw this and offered her the role of Mama (Lockne) in Death Stranding," accompanied by a link to the viral commercial. The advertisement features Qualley in a dance sequence reminiscent of Fat Boy Slim's iconic "Weapon of Choice" video, which showcased Christopher Walken's dance moves.
In Death Stranding, Qualley portrays Mama, also known as Målingen, a pivotal character in the game. Mama, along with her twin sister Lockne, whom Qualley also plays, is a brilliant scientist within the United Cities of America. Together, they are responsible for creating the Chiral Network, a crucial communications infrastructure that enables instant data transfer for the organization Bridges.
The Kenzo fragrance ad that caught Kojima's attention showcases Qualley in a unique and captivating dance routine. She is seen shaking, grimacing, and even firing lasers from her fingers, embodying a sense of controlled chaos and artistic expression. The full performance, described as bizarre and entertaining, is available for viewing and highlights Qualley's versatility and appeal.
Kojima's tweet garnered enthusiastic responses from fans. One admirer praised him, saying, "You are a visionary, Kojima-san," while another humorously suggested, "I do this most mornings, Kojima-san. Hire me too."
Beyond Death Stranding, Kojima is currently involved in several high-profile projects. Death Stranding 2 is slated for release on June 26, 2025, and he is also working on a live-action Death Stranding film in collaboration with A24. Additionally, Kojima is developing OD, an Xbox-published game described as "a game I have always wanted to make," and a PlayStation exclusive action espionage project.
