Squid Game USA rumors, possible cast & everything else we know

by

It seems that an American adaptation of Squid Game, titled Squid Game USA, is gaining traction, with David Fincher (from Mindhunter) as its director and Hwang Dong-hyuk sharing his preferred choice for the main character. However, there’s been a lot of chatter and conjecture about the project. To set the record straight, let me clarify what we currently know about it.

The third season of “Squid Game” concluded the popular series in a heart-rending, violent manner, establishing it as Netflix’s highest-grossing non-English production ever. Admittedly, it has its detractors, but isn’t it the hallmark of groundbreaking television to take risks?

In a surprising disclosure, it’s been made clear that the storyline for Dong-hyuk (Seong Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae) could have taken a drastically different course, but he opted to stay steadfast to convey the core message of the Netflix series: the significance of sacrifice.

As I was wrapping up my gaming sessions, I found myself in LA, where I bumped into a recruitment officer (played by Cate Blanchett). Now, even though the creator of our favorite game, Front Man, has clarified that this wasn’t linked to an English-language adaptation of Squid Game, it looks like an American spin-off might just be in the works.

Is Squid Game USA happening?

Essentially, Netflix hasn’t confirmed an American version of Squid Game yet. However, considering its popularity, it seems like a matter of time before it happens, not necessarily a question of whether or not it will.

It’s clear that someone other than Dong-hyuk will be responsible for the writing, as he has finished working on the series; initially, he planned for just one season of Squid Game, but was persuaded to return due to audience interest.

By October 2024, reliable sources informed Deadline that David Fincher was being tapped for the task of creating an English adaptation. The insiders suggested that it’s probable that the “Squid Game series” would be the primary focus of David Fincher’s time in 2025.

There’s no official news yet, but it’s possible that the creator of Mindhunter may become involved in upcoming announcements from the streaming platform.

Who would be in the cast?

To begin with, it’s clear that if the Squid Game gets produced in the United States, it’s quite possible that Cate Blanchett might take on the role of the American adaptation of the character known as The Salesman (previously played by Gong Yoo). This is suggested at the end of Season 3.

Dong-hyuk explained to THR that the disclosure served not as a foundation for a spinoff, but rather to emphasize the challenges of “excessive competition” and the framework fostered under contemporary capitalism.

As a fervent observer, I felt compelled to underscore a crucial point: even when one piece of this intricate puzzle falls, dismantling the entire system can be a formidable task. It’s a cycle that tends to recur. That’s why I chose to conclude my thoughts with an analogy using an American recruiter – a symbol of persistence and renewal in the face of change.

Indeed, given that Squid Game USA is in development, it could very well be logical for Blanchett to rejoin the cast. Her role wouldn’t necessarily be central, but having an Academy Award-winning actress like her to echo Yoo’s iconic portrayal would be a shrewd move to pay tribute to the original series.

Leonardo DiCaprio is Squid Game creator’s top pick

In reference to Gi-hun’s equivalent from America, Dong-hyuk clearly states that if he were to make a selection, he would opt for Leonardo DiCaprio.

During a chat with his fellow actors for an interview with Variety, he mentioned that many stories had circulated about him appearing as a guest star in Season 3, but unfortunately, those rumors didn’t lead to a reality.

In response to the question about DiCaprio playing either the Front Man or a character similar to Ki-hun in this hypothetical situation, Dong-hyuk expressed his belief that DiCaprio would excel as such a character, stating, “I believe he’d be suitable for the role of a player. Lately, he seems to have perfected the art of portraying characters like Ki-hun who are losers.

Gossips about Leonardo DiCaprio featuring in the suspenseful TV series began swirling following the launch of Season 2, with South Korean news source OSEN reporting that the Academy Award recipient is set to make a guest appearance.

In addition to the ongoing buzz, an old photograph featuring Jung-jae and DiCaprio reappeared, along with stories suggesting that DiCaprio had commended Squid Game during a Netflix gathering. However, Netflix swiftly debunked these claims, labelling them as “untrue”.

If a U.S. adaptation occurs, Leonardo DiCaprio might take on the primary role. This would represent a significant change for him, given that he has generally avoided television throughout most of his career.

Apart from brief appearances in early soap operas and sitcoms, Leonardo DiCaprio has accumulated an extensive filmography over the years, making his potential role in a series like ‘Squid Game USA’ quite an unforeseen shift in his career path.

It’s worth noting that it appears he might be negotiating to work again with Fincher for a possible continuation of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which could be released through Netflix. So, the idea of them working together on another intriguing narrative isn’t completely implausible.

How a Squid Game USA could work

Some viewers have suggested that Squid Game’s concept might struggle in an American context due to its reliance on distinctly Korean childhood games. However, it’s important to remember that classic American games like hopscotch, tag, and dodgeball have left countless American children with scraped knees throughout history.

Some viewers think Squid Game’s premise might be hard to adapt for America because of its Korean-specific childhood games. But we can’t ignore that traditional American games like hopscotch, tag, and dodgeball have given many American kids scraped knees over the years.

To put it simply, there’s an abundance of seemingly harmless playground activities in the US, but under the control of Fincher, they could potentially become lethal. For instance, imagine Duck Duck Goose played with real consequences or Four Square equipped with traps. The potential for danger is vast.

A Reddit user expressed their viewpoint regarding a potential English adaptation, “Regardless of how much you may disagree with me, I won’t be watching it. To me, the idea of American actors playing traditional Korean childhood games for survival just feels out of place and strange.

Well, another user suggested that it’s likely the case that an American version of Squid Game would present American-style games and themes instead.

Many of the games showcased aren’t exclusive to Korean culture; games like Red Light Green Light, Tug of War, Marbles, Hide and Seek, and Jump Rope are also popular among American children. There’s a similar game to Gonggi, known as Jacks.

One plausible reason for an American version of the Squid Game to incorporate Ddakji as a means of attracting participants is its ease of learning – it can be mastered within a short minute. Yet, despite its simplicity, it proves surprisingly challenging.

For now, you can stream Squid Game seasons 1-3 on Netflix! Dive deeper into understanding why this series might pose challenges for North Korea, explore the ways Hide and Seek violates an unspoken rule, decipher the hidden meanings behind the show’s geometric symbols, and find out why a season 4 may not materialize. Additionally, don’t miss out on other exciting new TV shows that are now available this month!

Read More

2025-07-03 17:49