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Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the acclaimed game Death Stranding, has shared an intriguing insight into his casting process. He revealed that he was inspired to cast Margaret Qualley as Mama, also known as Lockne, after watching her in a captivating Spike Jonze-directed Kenzo fragrance advertisement. Kojima took to Twitter on April 25 to express his admiration for the commercial, stating, "I saw this and offered her the role of Mama (Lockne) in Death Stranding."
The advertisement features Qualley in a dynamic dance performance set to a pulsating bass track, reminiscent of Fat Boy Slim's iconic "Weapon of Choice" video featuring Christopher Walken. Qualley's unique dance moves, which include shaking, grimacing, and even firing lasers from her fingers, captured Kojima's attention and led to her casting.
In Death Stranding, Qualley portrays Mama, a brilliant scientist in the United Cities of America, who, alongside her twin sister Lockne (also played by Qualley), developed the revolutionary Chiral Network. This network is crucial for Bridges, enabling instant data transfer across the game's world.
The Kenzo fragrance ad showcases Qualley's ability to perform a choreographed routine that includes unusual movements and moments of apparent struggle, which Kojima found compelling enough to envision her in the complex role of Mama.
Kojima shared the advertisement on Twitter, prompting a variety of responses from fans. One fan praised him, 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 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, he's developing OD, an Xbox-published game he describes as "a game I have always wanted to make," and a PlayStation exclusive action espionage project.
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