Squid Game Zero: Will We Ever Get A Prequel?

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The initial two seasons of the show “Squid Game” rank among Netflix’s top three most popular series ever, with Season 1 leading the pack and Season 2 in third place, just behind “Wednesday”. This indicates that the show has a significant draw for subscribers. With Season 3 of “Squid Game” upcoming and fans discussing potential spin-offs and prequels, it’s evident that there’s much anticipation surrounding this property.

The concept of a prequel that delves into the origins of the games is quite intriguing. A hypothetical series, perhaps titled “Squid Game Zero,” would undoubtedly attract a massive audience similar to the viewership garnered by the first two seasons of “Squid Game.” However, it’s puzzling as to why Netflix hasn’t yet approved this show. As for the expectations from a potential “Squid Game” prequel series, fans are eagerly awaiting engaging storylines that delve deeper into the background and motivations of the games, their creators, and perhaps even the first participants.

Why isn’t a Squid Game prequel happening yet?

A primary factor preventing a “Squid Game” prequel from being produced is that the main show is still ongoing. It’s scheduled to end around 2025, coinciding with Season 3’s release. Following this, there might be discussions about exploring the early events of the “Squid Game” timeline. Perhaps some foundations could even be laid for a prequel series during Season 3. However, until then, no announcements concerning the franchise’s future should be anticipated from the streaming platform.

There might be a possible explanation for why Netflix hasn’t unveiled more “Squid Game” projects: The creator, writer, and director Hwang Dong-hyuk has expressed feeling somewhat tired of the concept. He shared with Variety that he is “exhausted” and “tired,” adding that he is “so sick of ‘Squid Game.'” He further stated, “I’m not thinking about my next project right now. I just want to go to a secluded island and enjoy some personal time without any interruptions from Netflix.

If Hwang chooses to create additional episodes of “Squid Game” following Season 3, it’s unlikely we’ll see it right away because he’s already set his sights on another project. This upcoming production goes by the tentative name “K.O. Club,” and it’s adapted from a novel by Umberto Eco. Its longer “Killing Old People Club.” Given the title, it promises to be brutal. In fact, Hwang has suggested that it will surpass “Squid Game” in terms of violence.

What could be explored in a Squid Game prequel?

There have been many discussions among fans about potential storylines for a “Squid Game” prequel series. Two ideas that seem to be the most popular are:

1. A series taking place in the 1980s focusing on the character of Oh Il-nam (played by O Yeong-su), revealing how the games were initially created.
2. A show centered around the character Hwang In-ho (portrayed by Lee Byung-hun), delving into his past and showing us how he transformed into the enigmatic Front Man we see in the series.

These spin-offs would help provide more context to the history of the games, offering insights into events that transpired before the 2020s and Gi-hun’s (Lee Jung-jae) quest for revenge.

It appears no indication has been given about these two storylines being delved into in any upcoming prequel. However, they seem like logical progressions, and exploring them could potentially address some unresolved questions from Season 2. On Reddit, fans have been eagerly brainstorming ideas for a potential prequel, and it seems that one common desire is to understand the origins of this entire story. User u/EdgarsGraphic expressed their wish to see how the first game unfolded in a specific year, while user u/No_Source_1899 concurred, stating they too wanted to witness the first game.

What’s ahead for Squid Game?

At present, there’s no news about a prequel, but fans of “Squid Game” can anticipate exciting developments ahead. Besides Season 3, a second season of the reality show titled “Squid Game: The Challenge” has been confirmed. As stated by Netflix VP Brandon Riegg to Tudum, the decision for Season 2 was made with full confidence, as “Squid Game: The Challenge” is the most ambitious unscripted series they’ve premiered on Netflix. They are thrilled to expand the “Squid Game” universe with their Korean team and producers at Studio Lambert and The Garden, creating this extraordinary competition series.

In the U.S., filmmaker David Fincher is planning an English adaptation of the popular series “Squid Game,” reimagining the original three seasons with native English-speaking characters. This upcoming production, scheduled to start filming in 2025, will be available on Netflix. The project has received the endorsement of creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, who expressed his openness to the idea, stating, “I haven’t heard anything official about it, but why not? David Fincher is a respected talent.” Notably, Hwang himself has hinted at potential spin-offs for the series.

The franchise’s creator appears hopeful about the idea of creating a show that takes place during the three-year gap between Season 1 and Season 2. When discussing a possible interquel with The Hollywood Reporter, he mentioned: “I like to think about what characters like the Front Man and the Recruiter were up to during those three years. In my spare time, I enjoy brainstorming and letting my imagination run wild. So who knows, we might just explore new possibilities.”

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2025-01-25 15:30