David Fincher’s reported English-language Squid Game project is no longer moving forward at Netflix, according to several reports. The series was often described as a US spin-off, although neither Netflix nor Fincher had formally announced it.
Sources close to the streamer told The Playlist that the project had been shelved. Even during development, it was never clear whether Fincher’s version would remake the original Korean drama or extend its story in a different part of the world.
The idea appeared to gain momentum after the third-season finale of Squid Game. In the episode, the Front Man travelled to the United States to deliver Gi-hun’s winnings to his daughter. He then saw an American recruiter, played by Cate Blanchett, playing ddakji with a prospective participant. The scene suggested that the games continued beyond South Korea, but it was not an official announcement of a new series.
A production listing last November indicated that a project known as Squid Game: America could begin filming in 2026. The latest reports now say that this version will not proceed. However, Netflix is reportedly still considering regional spin-offs set in other countries.
Fincher remains busy at the streamer. He is directing The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a follow-up to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood starring Brad Pitt. Netflix also continues the franchise through the reality competition Squid Game: The Challenge.
For now, the reported cancellation closes one route for an English-language expansion rather than the entire future of Squid Game. The project’s status remains based on industry reporting, with no formal cancellation statement from Netflix included in the reports.
