David Fincher to Direct New 'Squid Game' Spin-Off for Netflix

Famed director David Fincher is reportedly set to direct a new English-language spin-off of Netflix’s wildly popular South Korean series. Titled Squid Game: America, filming is expected to kick off in December 2025 in Los Angeles, according to recent reports. This exciting project will dive into the same intense, cutthroat world of the original, but with a fresh story set in the U.S.

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The spin-off is being written by Dennis Kelly, the mind behind the gripping British series Utopia. It won’t just rehash the original Squid Game but will instead explore new characters and the harsh realities of American society, focusing on themes like desperation and competition. Fans of Fincher’s dark, moody style—think Se7en or Mindhunter—can expect a grittier, more psychological take on the deadly games that made the original a global hit. While it’s not confirmed if Fincher will direct every episode, his involvement is a major draw, especially given his history with Netflix on projects like House of Cards and The Killer.

The idea for Squid Game: America was teased in the Season 3 finale of the original series, where a scene showed Cate Blanchett as a recruiter playing the Korean game ddakji in Los Angeles. This sparked some debate among fans, with a few feeling the use of a Korean game in an American setting strayed too far from the original’s cultural roots. Others, however, are thrilled about the unpredictable direction the spin-off could take, fitting the franchise’s shocking vibe.

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Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of Squid Game, is excited about Fincher’s role, even though he hasn’t been officially looped in. He sees the spin-off as a chance to grow the Squid Game universe, which wraps up its main story in Season 3, set for release in 2025. With Master Key Studios and producers Zeus Zamani and Rhett Giles behind it, Squid Game: America could hit Netflix in late 2026 or early 2027, promising a bold new chapter for fans.