Netflix has reportedly canceled its planned American spinoff series for the hit show Squid Game, which was to be directed by David Fincher. Sources close to the project informed The Playlist that the streaming service has decided to shelve the adaptation, citing a significant shift in the company's global strategy for the franchise.
The project, which had reportedly been in development since at least 2024, saw Dennis Kelly, creator of the British series Utopia, attached to write the script. However, progress was slow, and a listing on the Film and Television Industry Alliance website in November 2025, under the title ‘Squid Game: America’ with a reported February 2026 shoot date in Los Angeles, now appears to be obsolete.
Insiders suggest that Netflix's initial eagerness for an American interpretation of the popular Korean series has waned. The company is now reportedly focusing on exploring stories within the Squid Game universe in individual international markets, though specific country-based spinoffs are not confirmed to be in development. The cancellation of Fincher's version is said to be influenced by a protracted production process, changes in Netflix's executive leadership, and Fincher's commitment to other projects, including his film The Adventures of Cliff Booth.
This development comes despite a hint in the original series' Season 3, which featured a surprise appearance by Cate Blanchett, suggesting the existence of other iterations of the deadly games globally. While Blanchett's involvement was confirmed to be independent of Fincher's project, it did set up the potential for future storylines exploring characters and VIPs in different regions.
Original Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk had previously considered a spinoff focused on characters between seasons one and two. However, he has also stated that Season 3 will serve as the definitive conclusion to the entire series. For viewers seeking similar dark, thematic content, Netflix offers Mask Girl, a series that explores similar tones without the deadly game premise.
Netflix has not yet officially commented on the reported cancellation. The future of the Squid Game intellectual property remains a subject of speculation, with the streamer's focus seemingly shifting away from an American-centric adaptation.