‘Squid Game’ Creator Weighs in on American Spinoff Reports and Explains That Surprise Cameo

by

[This story contains MAJOR spoilers from the Squid Game season three finale, “Humans are…”]

Squid Game ended with a knowing look.

The last scene of Netflix’s most popular series worldwide featured a intense gaze between the Korean series’ villain, The Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), and an unforeseen character – an L.A. representative for an American adaptation of the deadly Squid Games, portrayed by the Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett in a brilliant casting choice.

Rumors are swirling that director David Fincher might produce an English-language adaptation of “Squid Game,” but as per The Hollywood Reporter, the ambiguous finale of the show does not currently plan for further narratives. Netflix has yet to make a statement on this matter.

In a second chat with series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk regarding the concluding chapter of his blockbuster thriller (the finale was kept under wraps from the media, as previously discussed), Hwang made it clear to The Hollywood Reporter that he didn’t pen this ending primarily to pave the way for an American spinoff.

As a devoted fan, I couldn’t help but wonder about director Fincher potentially working on the series, though it remains to be seen if that will indeed transpire. However, Hwang had a distinct intention behind the climactic scene of the show, which he shares below, along with his rationale for casting Cate Blanchett in the pivotal role. Moreover, he explains why he deviated from his initial concept that would have seen protagonist Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) surviving and why he is unable to disclose the full meaning of that final sentence uttered by his hero.

***

Were you originally intending for Gi-hun not to perish at the end? If so, what caused you to alter this outcome and what were the key differences between your initial ending and the one we ultimately saw?

Instead of calling it an entirely unique conclusion, I had a general notion about the final chapter in my story. At first, I envisioned Gi-hun somehow completing the game and surviving, then traveling to America to see his daughter. Originally, I intended for the character who encounters the American recruiter woman to be Gi-hun. However, as I delved deeper into writing and contemplated the message I wanted to convey through the ending, as well as Gi-hun’s journey and destination, I felt it was more appropriate for him to die dramatically and powerfully, delivering a significant message to the world, thus concluding the story in this manner.

It appears the world is trending towards increasingly challenging times. In numerous aspects, things seem to be deteriorating more and more. This led me to ponder, “What sort of concessions must our current generation make for us to bequeath a superior world to future generations?” With this in mind, I intended Gi-hun’s sacrifice to symbolize such selfless actions.

You shared that you’re not keen on pursuing the main storyline in its current timeframe, but instead prefer a spinoff set during the gap between seasons one and two. You’ve hinted at potential backstories for characters like the Front Man or Captain Park, who were portrayed by Gong Yoo as the Korean Recruiter (who perished in season two) and Oh Dal-su as Captain Park respectively. I’m wondering if you have a preference towards one character’s story more, but also, this ending definitely leaves room for a U.S. adaptation of Squid Game. Was the introduction of an L.A. recruiter part of your plan to ensure the franchise could continue, even if it’s not you leading that series?

Instead of concluding the story on that particular note, I intentionally kept some space for more narratives to unfold. The Korea Squid Game has concluded, but Gi-hun and Front Man’s characters carry the tale forward. Given that my initial goal was to explore the relentless competition and the system created in late capitalism, I wanted the ending to emphasize that even when a part of such a system collapses, dismantling the entire structure is not straightforward – it tends to recur. That’s why I decided to end it with an American recruiter. The purpose of writing that final scene was to create a powerful conclusion for the series rather than setting up additional storylines.

How did Cate Blanchett’s casting come about, and did you write the cameo with her in mind?

At first, various concepts were circulating in my mind. I pondered, “Perhaps the character should be male, serving as our recruiter?” However, I considered it more compelling and distinctive for the Korean adaptation to have a female recruitment officer, offering a striking contrast and significant impact. As a result, we decided on a woman. Next, I wondered, “Who would be ideally suited for this role?” The scene is brief, with only one line, so we required an actress who could command attention and captivate the audience immediately. That consideration led me naturally towards Cate Blanchett. I’ve always admired her talent. With a single gaze, she can capture your focus instantly. Thus, that’s how we settled on her.

Have you come across any news or updates regarding the potential U.S. adaptation of Squid Game by David Fincher? Could you share your thoughts on this, and would you be keen on watching an American version of the show if it were to materialize?

To set the record straight, no formal communication regarding this matter has been received from Netflix. My knowledge is derived solely from articles I’ve read. As a die-hard fan of David Fincher’s work, starting with “Seven”, I find the prospect of him developing an American version of “Squid Game” quite intriguing. If such a project were to materialize, you can bet I’d be one of the first to stream it upon its release.

In this series, the Lead Character has challenged human nature. When the Lead Character encountered the latest recruit, portrayed by Cate Blanchett, there was a lot left unspoken between them. This encounter reinforced his belief that the pattern persists. What thoughts might viewers be left pondering after the final scene?

In a playful tone: I didn’t plan on making everyone feel down with the finale, (chuckles) but here’s the deal: The main character wasn’t entirely certain about the other global games or recruiters being present. So, when he unexpectedly encountered an American recruiter, it was quite a shock for him. I wanted to use Gi-hun’s story and his selfless act to express themes of hope and sacrifice, emphasizing that we should never abandon these ideals even in the face of adversity. The final scene serves to underscore the resilience of this system, suggesting that it won’t crumble easily and requires constant vigilance and determination from us all.

As a gamer, I can share that crafting the final line spoken by Gi-hun was an engaging journey. The line is “Humans are…hopeless animals.” This poignant statement encapsulates the emotional turmoil and resilience of our protagonist in the gripping drama we all know as Squid Game.

It’s quite challenging to sum up who we are as humans with just a few words, isn’t it? Just like Gi-hun stated in season one, “We’re not horses, we’re human.” Throughout the subsequent seasons, I find myself questioning, “So then, what exactly are we?” I’ve come to realize that defining humanity is an impossible task. We possess immense empathy and love for fellow humans, only to be instantly cold-hearted and extremely self-centered at times.

Instead of imposing my personal interpretation of the sentence’s conclusion, I preferred to pose a thought-provoking question to our audience and collectively ponder together: “What does it mean to be human?” From Gi-hun’s perspective, his actions serve as an indication of what he values. I designed that scene to avoid explicitly stating what humans are but instead emphasize the ideal qualities of humanity.

It’s crucial to loosen our grasp on certain aspects that we’ve held tightly – growth, competition, greed, and the like. We need to be prepared to let these go and release our grip. I believe it’s high time for us to commit to a choice of sacrifice, so we can pass down a better world to future generations. If we don’t, the consequences will be severe and irreversible. In essence, Gi-hun’s actions demonstrate what humanity should strive for, not just through his words but through his deeds.

***

The last installment of Squid Game is currently available for streaming on Netflix. Check out Hollywood Reporter’s analysis of the finale guest appearance and how it might lead to a sequel, along with the initial segment of our conversation with director Hwang Dong-hyuk.

Read More

2025-06-30 18:55