No one saw the popularity of Squid Game coming, but here we are. Thanks to the combination of betrayal, drama, and comedy, the high-stakes survival drama became a perfect binge for Netflix subscribers. It led to the reality show Squid Game: The Challenge, and now an English-speaking spinoff is being developed by director David Fincher (Fight Club and Se7en).
To be fair, we're still not sure if the spinoff will actually happen of it if will die before it sees the light of day. Also worth noting it that it's not a remake, but they're not looking to case English-speaking version of the characters we already met in the original. Instead, it will be a new story set elsewhere in the world, with a whole new crop of cash-strapped contestants drafted to participate in the deadly Squid Games in the hopes of walking away with the grand prize, even though most of them will die in the process.
Here are 15 performers who would slay in this project. While a lot of these may seem improbable, a writer can always dream.
15. Starring: Ella Purnell
Ella Purnell has been fantastic in everything she’s been in. Whether she’s being naive in Fallout or conniving in Sweetpea, it’s easy to get hooked on the characters she plays. She’d be the perfect person to lead this project, especially if the series follows the same premise of the star being the worst.
14. Ali Wong
This show needs someone who says and does things that make you want to hate everything they are, and yet you can't help but love them. Ali Wong is the right person for that role. If you need convincing, watch Beef on Netflix. She does some questionable things, but you still find yourself rooting for her.
13. Joel McHale
Joel McHale would be the contestant who starts as the arrogant American who thinks they'd win just because they're a big tough confident guy. Then the red light, green light game starts, and he'd freak out. Eventually, he'd become dependent on the star and try to betray them. Sure, it would be obvious, but it wouldn't matter because everyone loves Joel McHale.
12. Delainey Hayles
I loved Delainey Hayles as Claudia in AMC’s Interview with a Vampire, and she would crush a role in a Squid Game spinoff. Delainey would play a contestant too cold to make any friends until they met someone who forced them to yield and join an alliance. Eventually she dies and we’re all sad because they evolved.
11. Sophie Thatcher
Sophie Thatcher is one of the best young actors around. She recently killed in Heretic and Companion (literally and figuratively), and showed that there’s a need for good actors in horror flicks. And you can't mention her name without bringing up her masterful performance in Yellowjackets. All of this shows that there's nothing she can't do.
10. Jessica Renee Williams
Shows like this need someone who looks, acts, and is tough. That’s Jessica Renee Williams. And as you can see in Shrinking, her facial expressions when she's sarcastic and annoyed are believable. Jessica Renee Williams may not be someone you root for, but you’d still pay attention to her.
9. Rhea Ripley
Another formidable presence, pro wrestler Rhea Ripley (whose real name is Demi Bennett) immediately looks like someone who should not be messed with, regardless of who you are. She'd bring that energy to a Squid Game spinoff, but in the end her arrogance would become her downfall.
Squid Game is the perfect show to determine if Rhea is a good actor outside of wrestling. It's close enough to sports entertainment that it’s not outside of her wheelhouse, but far enough away that we’d be able to judge her ability as an actor.
8. Pete Davidson
Every season of Squid Game needs a dumpster fire of a character. Yes, putting Pete Davidson in this role is typecasting, but hold on before you judge. This is an opportunity for him to show depth. He doesn’t have to be goofy or obnoxious. Davidson could be evil in a serious way. I truly believe this is something he’s capable of.
7. Sunita Mani
This is another typecast, but Sanita Mani is really good at playing innocent. You could see that in Netflix’s Glow and recently in A24’s Death of a Unicorn. Squid Game needs someone like this, a waif for us to sympathize with. She could play opposite Delainey Hayles’ mean character.
6. Josh Hartnett
In season 1 of Squid Game, the person recruiting contestants was clearly a jerk. However, you don’t see how depraved and dangerous they are until season 2. Josh Hartnett is the right person for that role.
After his stellar performance in Trap, it’s easy to see him playing someone wicked. He also has a slow speech pattern and voice that makes him sound like a demon you're selling your soul to. Which is what you're doing when you take his offer.
5. William Jackson Harper
Someone has to play the guy running the day-to-day operations of the Squid Games, this show's equivalent of the Front Man. Cast The Good Place's William Jackson Harper. Harper is best known for his comedic roles, but he also has a background in drama, and seeing him be sinister would be creepy and unsettling.
4. Tati Gabrielle
Tati Gabrielle played an amazing spoiled teenager in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and she’s been just as good in HBO’s The Last of Us. Here, she could play the hero. Let Tati be the cop who goes undercover to expose the Squid Games from within.
3. Jodie Comer
At the end of the show, Ella Purnell would need someone to fight, and it should be Jodie Comer. She was masterful in Killing Eve and could easily play a worthy rival. The fight between these two stars would be memorable and the perfect ending to the actual game.
2. Jeff Goldblum
We need to see Jeff Goldblum as one of the rich and arrogant billionaires watching the games. In this case, he should be the one in charge of the festivities. He doesn’t have to be like the old guy who ran things in season 1 of Squid Game, but he should have authority.
Seeing Jeff Goldblum as a diabolical and cruel god in Kaos was a revelation; it was the best role he has played. That’s a bold statement considering everything he’s done, but look at it like this: name one thing he did in other movies that he didn’t do better in Kaos. I’ll wait. While you think, imagine him doing that in Squid Game.
1. Lee Jung-jae
If you’re going to do a spinoff, bring in the star of the original show for a cameo. How funny would it be to see him play the game, act like he knows what’s going on, and lose? Okay, maybe funny is the wrong word. Nevertheless, it would be something people would enjoy.
Lee Jung-jae is one of the reasons the original show was popular. Having him appear only seems right. He doesn't have to win, just show up.
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