David Fincher is reportedly gearing up to direct an English-language adaptation of the wildly popular series Squid Game for Netflix. According to Deadline, Netflix has officially begun work on the project, with Fincher a likely candidate to direct.
The original Korean series, created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, became a global sensation upon its release in September 2021, amassing over 1.65 billion viewing hours within the first 28 days, making it Netflix’s top show of all time. The storyline follows individuals in severe financial distress who participate in children’s games with deadly stakes, competing for a massive cash prize.
Netflix has already renewed Squid Game for a second season, which is set to release on December 26, 2023. The new season will take place three years after the main character, G-hun, wins the brutal game and decides to return, facing old and new threats within the deadly competition.
The Squid Game universe also expanded through a reality show, Squid Game: The Challenge, launched in 2023, allowing real-life contestants to experience similar (though non-lethal) challenges for a prize, capturing more viewers who are drawn to the concept.
Fincher’s collaboration with Netflix has grown stronger in recent years, having directed two films exclusively for the platform. His 2020 film Mank, featuring Gary Oldman, and his recent thriller The Killer, starring Michael Fassbender, both received positive reviews and strong viewership.
With his signature style, which often explores dark and intense psychological themes, Fincher could bring a unique take to the story, potentially reshaping Squid Game for a Western audience while maintaining the story’s core tension and high stakes.
The decision to bring an English-language version of Squid Game to life highlights Netflix’s ambition to make its international hits accessible to broader audiences.
The original series has already left a significant cultural mark, and with a celebrated director like Fincher potentially at the helm, this adaptation could deepen its global influence. As fans await both the release of season two and Fincher’s adaptation, Netflix is further solidifying Squid Game as a cultural phenomenon with lasting impact.
