- Primary Subject: David Fincher / Squid Game US Spinoff
- Key Update: David Fincher has reportedly scrapped his planned English-language Squid Game spinoff to focus on directing The Adventures of Cliff Booth.
- Status: Unconfirmed / Leaked
- Last Verified: August 7, 2026
- Quick Answer: David Fincher reportedly scrapped his US Squid Game spinoff to direct Quentin Tarantino's $200 million Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel, Cliff Booth.
David Fincher has reportedly scrapped his long-rumored English-language Squid Game spinoff to focus on The Adventures of Cliff Booth.
The acclaimed filmmaker is set to direct the standalone Once Upon a Time in Hollywood follow-up, based on a screenplay written by the original film's writer-director, Quentin Tarantino. So, what reportedly happened behind the scenes?
Why Was David Fincher's Squid Game US Spinoff Canceled?
Netflix has yet to confirm a US adaptation of its global hit South Korean drama Squid Game. However, rumors have long suggested that David Fincher was set to develop an American version.
The speculation was further fueled by the Season 3 finale, which featured a surprise cameo by Cate Blanchett as an American recruiter in a small alley in Los Angeles.
The scene appeared to hint at an expansion of the deadly games beyond South Korea, making the reported cancellation all the more surprising.
According to The Playlist, the project, which was reportedly in development under the working title Heckler, has been scrapped as Fincher shifted his attention to The Adventures of Cliff Booth.
Netflix reportedly acquired the script for the movie sequel from Quentin Tarantino in April 2025, with lead star Brad Pitt later approaching David Fincher to direct the project after the pair previously collaborated on Se7en, Fight Club, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
With a reported budget of $200 million, the film is expected to be the most expensive project associated with both Tarantino and Fincher to date.
Netflix has yet to comment on the report, but if it proves to be true, it could mark a major shift in the future of the Squid Game franchise.
What Does the Squid Game Season 3 Finale Mean?
Cate Blanchett made a brief cameo at the end of the Squid Game Season 3 finale. Playing ddakji with a homeless man in a Los Angeles alley, she appeared to portray an American counterpart to Gong Yoo's recruiter from the original series.
By the looks of it, the deadly competition had seemingly expanded beyond South Korea and into Los Angeles.
Naturally, the scene fueled theories that a US adaptation of Squid Game was in the works, especially after years of reports linking David Fincher to the rumored project.
Blanchett's previous collaboration with Fincher on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button only added to the speculation.
However, series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk previously clarified that Blanchett's cameo was never intended to serve as a direct setup for another Squid Game spinoff.
"Actually, no, not at all. It's not related to that,” he told Variety.
He added that all he wanted at the time was just to have “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,” he continued. “I have heard the rumors, of course, though. But again, it was just the ending that I wanted for Season 3.”
Even so, fans couldn't help but connect the dots between Blanchett's appearance and the long-running rumors that Fincher was developing an American adaptation.
For now, though, nothing has been officially confirmed, and fans should take these theories with a grain of salt.
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