Netflix has reportedly scrapped plans for David Fincher’s long-discussed English-language ‘Squid Game’ spin-off, ending years of speculation about an American expansion of the hit Korean franchise.
According to Collider, Netflix has decided not to move forward with the project, which had been developed under the working title ‘Heckler’. Sources close to Fincher said the streaming giant’s priorities for the franchise have shifted after years of development.
The project was originally planned as an English-language expansion of ‘Squid Game’, although production was expected to take place in the UK rather than the US. Dennis Kelly, creator of ‘Utopia’, had been attached to write the series after previously working with Fincher on an abandoned HBO adaptation of the same show.
Several factors reportedly stalled the project. Netflix went through multiple executive changes, while Fincher moved on to other projects, including ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’. Netflix also shifted towards developing country-specific ‘Squid Game’ projects for individual international markets instead of building the franchise around a single American spin-off.
Much of the speculation surrounding Fincher’s project began after Cate Blanchett made a surprise appearance in the finale of ‘Squid Game’. She appeared as an American recruiter in Los Angeles, prompting fans to believe the cameo hinted at the spin-off.
However, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk repeatedly denied any connection between Blanchett’s appearance and Fincher’s project. There is also no indication that Blanchett was ever attached to ‘Heckler’, despite previously saying she would be “wildly open” to returning to the franchise.
‘Squid Game’ follows debt-ridden contestants who enter deadly versions of children’s games for a huge cash prize. The series became Netflix’s biggest original series after its 2021 debut, later spawning two more seasons and the reality competition spin-off ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’.
‘Squid Game’ is currently streaming on Netflix.
