Warning: This article contains spoilers for Squid Game season 3.Squid Gameseason 3 ends with a shocking cameo, which many have presumed to be a setup for the English-language spinoff being developed by David Fincher, speculation that the flagship show’s creator has addressed.Squid Gameseason 3’s endingsees many deaths in the name of humanity and the mission to take down the games, but the operation continues elsewhere.
Oscar-winning actressCate Blanchett has a surprise cameo inSquid Gameas the Recruiter in Los Angeles, whom the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) witnesses ensnaring another future participant for the games in the show’s final moments. It has been confirmed that while the games are over in Korea, larger systemic problems allow them to start up again in America.
However, during an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter,Squid Gamecreator Hwang Dong-Hyuk said that, on his part, Blanchett’s scene was not intended to be a segue into David Fincher’sSquid Gameseries.Hwang’s goal was merely to create an impactful final moment that underscored that all the world’s evils had not been defeated. Check out his full comments below:
Hwang: I didn’t end it on that note to deliberately leave room for further stories to happen. Gi-hun and Front Man, through these characters, the games in Korea have ended. And because this story started out with me wanting to tackle issues about the limitless competition and the system that’s created in late capitalism, I wanted to leave it on a note highlighting the fact that these systems, even if one comes down, it’s not easy to dismantle the whole system — it will always repeat itself. That’s why I wanted to end it with an American recruiter. And I wrote that scene wanting an impactful ending for the show, not in order to open rooms for anything else. […]
THR: I’m sure you’ve heard and seen the reports about a possible David Fincher U.S. spinoff of Squid Game. What can you say about that, and either way, are you interested in watching an American Squid Game version?
Hwang: Honestly, nothing has been said to me officially by Netflix about this. I’ve only read it in articles myself as well. I’ve always been a huge fan of David Fincher’s work — from Se7en — and I’ve loved his films. So if he were to create an American Squid Game, I think that would be very interesting to watch. I would definitely click on it immediately after it’s released, if it were to happen.
Hwang repeated this story in a different interview withVariety. In addition to saying that he would be the first to watch Fincher’sSquid Game,Hwang expressed his interest in working on anotherSquid Gameproject for Netflix, if the time and the idea are right. Check out his further comments below:
Variety: Can we read that scene as setting up David Fincher’s Squid Game: USA show?
Hwang: Actually no, not at all. It’s not related to that. All I wanted to have was just an impactful ending, and that’s all that was to it. Honestly, I haven’t heard officially from Netflix about David Fincher creating a Squid Game. I have heard the rumors of course though. But again, it was just the ending that I wanted for season 3. […]
Variety: What level of participation would you like to have with Netflix if they decide to do a new Squid Game project?
Hwang: It would depend on what kind of show. If they wanted to do a following season, then I think it’s obvious I would have to participate and lead. But if it’s the U.S. version that they’re making, I think sharing of ideas would be enough. I have no intention of being completely hands-on in a project like that. Having said that, if Netflix asks and if I feel like my contribution is needed, then as long as it’s not something that would interfere with whatever I’m working on at that time, I would be happy to provide what they need from me.
What Hwang Dong-Hyuk’s Comments Mean For A Squid Game Spinoff
Depending On Where Squid Game: America Is In Development, Blanchett Could Still Play A Role
The showrunner’s BTS comments situate Cate Blanchett’sSquid Gamescene in a new light. Rather than being any kind of tease for a sequel, it really is supposed to be a contained moment that, in and of itself, leverages implication to inform the audience of the series' final message.
The fact that Blanchett ended up playing the role of the American Recruiter with mere seconds of screen time was mostly due to her certified talent,and perhaps the last-minute shock she would lend on a meta-textual level. However, with no news about the cast or story of David Fincher’sSquid Game, she still could be invited to appear in this show.
On the other hand, Hwang hints at the remote possibility ofSquid Gameseason 4.It would make sense for Netflix to want to revive the show or produce a different spinoff, givenSquid Game’s massive success,and Hwang coming back may reassure fans that the quality will meet the standard of the flagship.
Our Take On Cate Blanchett’s Squid Game Cameo Not (Intentionally) Being A Spinoff Setup
This Actually Makes Squid Game’s Final Scene Better
I’m more impressed that this scene wasn’t just a stepping stone for the franchise to make more money, but a genuine story moment that the creator envisioned only in the context of him making this show the best it could be. Blanchett’s presence may be a bit distracting, butSquid Gamehas well-earned the clout needed to secure such a star for one wild cameo.
I still feel like Netflix and future showrunners are going to attempt to capitalize on Blanchett’s previous appearance, which is neither good nor bad. Regardless of Hwang’s intentions, any futureSquid Gameseries still has much to live up to, and they may not even have the guarantee of Blanchett coming back to elevate the project.
