Netflix’s *Squid Game* has transcended its initial success, blossoming into a sprawling franchise. The streaming giant is delivering on its promise to expand the universe of the globally popular survival thriller, with plans stretching far beyond the anticipated third season.
The show’s unexpected success caught even its creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, by surprise. While the anti-capitalist allegory likely wasn’t intended as a money-making machine, its popularity has made further installments inevitable. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos confirmed this, stating during the company’s 2021 fourth-quarter earnings call, “Absolutely. The *Squid Game* universe has just begun.”
This expansion includes a second season, which debuted in late 2024, followed swiftly by a third and final season. The abrupt ending of season two is explained by Hwang Dong-hyuk’s initial plan for a much longer second season, later divided to allow for a satisfying conclusion in the third. Season three, slated for release in 2025, promises a continued conflict between Gi-hun and the Front Man.
Beyond the main series, Netflix has embarked on a multifaceted expansion. *Squid Game: The Challenge*, a real-life (non-lethal) competition series, premiered in November 2023 and proved successful enough to warrant a second season. Casting for the second season has concluded, suggesting production is underway.
Hwang Dong-hyuk himself expressed a desire for creative diversification beyond *Squid Game*. Although details remain scarce, he’s reportedly working on a Netflix project tentatively titled *The Best Show on the Planet*, a satire about the creator of a *Squid Game*-esque hit. He’s also penned a treatment for a feature film, *Killing Old People*, based on Umberto Eco’s works.
Surprisingly, an English-language remake is in the works. While seemingly redundant given the show’s global success, reports from late 2024 indicate acclaimed director David Fincher is attached to the project, potentially commencing production as early as 2025. Fincher’s involvement, coupled with Hwang Dong-hyuk’s admiration for his work on *Mindhunter*, adds an intriguing layer to this unexpected addition to the franchise. The future of the *Squid Game* universe promises a diverse range of content, pushing the boundaries of the original’s dark premise in unexpected and intriguing ways.