Acclaimed director David Fincher is reportedly circling an English-language version of Netflix’s most successful franchise, Squid Game. The project, which would mark the first scripted spin-off of the Korean show, is likely to become Fincher’s primary focus in 2025, according to sources close to the production.
The pairing seems almost too perfect to ignore. Fincher, whose 1997 thriller The Game explored similar themes of deadly competition among unwitting participants, has been one of Netflix’s most valuable creative partners since helping launch the streaming service’s original content with House of Cards in 2013.
While details remain under wraps, Deadline reports that the series is believed to be set in the US, with Utopia creator Dennis Kelly potentially attached as writer. Netflix has declined to comment on the development, but industry insiders suggest discussions have evolved from initial rumors of a potential film to a full series format.
The timing of this news arrives as the Squid Game universe continues to expand. The original Korean series, created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, is set to return for its second season on December 26, with a third and final season already greenlit. The franchise has also spawned the successful (but controversial) reality competition Squid Game: The Challenge and an upcoming mobile game.
However, those familiar with Fincher’s track record know how prudent it is to approach this news with measured optimism. The American director is notorious for his careful project selection, with an extensive list of unrealized ventures including a sequel to World War Z and several HBO shows.
His most recent Netflix project was 2023’s The Killer, and his successful relationship with the streamer has also produced the cult-favorite Mindhunter and Emmy-winning animated series Love, Death & Robots.
If the project moves forward, it would be Netflix’s most ambitious attempt yet to expand the Squid Game universe, which became a global cultural phenomenon in 2021 and remains the platform’s most-watched series. Fincher’s psychological depth to this world of deadly games and social commentary would certainly offer a fascinating new perspective on the franchise’s themes.
For now, fans will have to wait and see if this potential adaptation will actually materialize.
