When Squid Game season 1 premiered on Netflix in 2021, the Korean survival drama quickly became a global phenomenon, smashing records at every turn. The series debuted its brilliant second season in December 2024, and it'll return for its third and final outing this June.
Like any other successful series, Netflix won't let the Squid Game franchise rest after season 3. When you've got an IP as successful as this, you milk it for all its worth. And so the streamer has hired legendary director David Fincher (Fight Club, Seven) to helm an English-language version of the series, set in the same universe as the original show.
The idea of an English-language version of Squid Game has recieved a mixed reception, but original creator Hwang Dong-hyuk is behind it. "I've also read news about David Fincher taking on a spinoff ofSquid Game, and it isn't something that's been shared with me officially," he told Games Radar. "Having said that, as a big fan of David Fincher, you know, I hugely respect a lot of his work. If he actually were to do the spinoff ofSquid Game, I personally, as a fan, I am very excited to see what happens. You know, I can't wait to see what he has in store."
We don't currently know many details about the series. It's not a 'remake,' but rather a new show that depicts events running concurrently with what we've already seen on the original. You can think of it more as a spinoff. But of course, with it being set in the United States, naming it 'Squid Game' would be inaccurate, since squid games refers to the iconic children's playground game in Korea. For a U.S. series, a classic American school game would be more applicable.
The title has reportedly caused an issue for Fincher and Netflix. According to insider Daniel Richtman, the parties are in a "bit of a feud" over it. Do they name the new show after a classic American game, like Tag, Dodgeball, or King of the Hill, for instance? Or do they stick with the Squid Game brand to make it more recognizable?
Personally, I think the spinoff will end up having an original title, subtitled with A Squid Game Story or something. That way you get the best of both worlds. Before any spinoff comes around, however, we'll first see Squid Game come to a conclusion with season 3 on June 27.
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