Beyond Squid Game: What to Expect From Universe and Future Projects

Squid Game has reached its grand finale. After so much waiting, here is the third and last season of the South Korean series, which was released on Netflix, giving the public are latest and very latest episodes. A final that arrives just six months after the release of the previous chapter, which had not fully convinced the fans and the critics, but this time it seems that Squid Game has chosen the right way to definitively close its history. But it will be just like that or there is hope for a return of this series that has revolutionized the way of telling stories on the small screen when it was released for the first time in 2021 and became a worldwide phenomenon – remember that to date it is still the most popular series always seen on Netflix. But will Squid Game Season 4 be there? Or can we expect a possible spin-off, possibly on the Front Man? Here’s everything we know so far.

Squid Game: The End of An Era, The Beginning of Other Stories: No Season 4 for the Main Series

The director and screenwriter Hwang Dong-hyuk has made it clear that there will not be a fourth season of Squid Game in its original form, focused on the story of Gi-hun. His vision for the protagonist ends with the third season, an ending that, as we have seen, balances ups and downs but completes the main story arc. This decision, made in agreement with Netflix, aims to give a definitive closure to the original plot, avoiding needlessly extending it and preserving the narrative impact that made it famous.

Spin-offs and Expansions: Squid Game Multiverse is Coming

Although the main series has come to an end, the world of Squid Game is vast and full of potential for new stories. Netflix is already working on several projects that promise to expand the franchise in unexpected directions:

• An American Spin-off directed by David Fincher: The juiciest news is about the development of one spin-off set in the United States, with the legendary director David Fincher (known for Mindhunter, House of Cards) at the helm. It is rumored that the ending of Squid Game 3 will lay the foundation for this new series, which will reimagine the format of deadly games in an American context, exploring new social dynamics and criticism. This project, if confirmed, could bring a unique perspective and a different aesthetic while maintaining the brutal and reflective essence of the franchise.
• Stories between the seasons: The void between the first and the second: Hwang Dong-hyuk himself had previously expressed interest in creating one spin-off set in the three-year gap between the first and second seasons. This series could explore what happened to characters such as the Front Man (In-ho) or the Recruiter during that period, deepening their motivations and the internal functioning of the organization. Although plans for the main series have changed, this idea may still see the light, offering fans a more in-depth look at the lore of the game.
• Backstory of key characters: The universe of Squid Game is populated by enigmatic figures, from masked guards to VIPs. Or an expansion on the Front Man: Actor Lee Byung-hun, who plays the enigmatic Front Man, has also hinted at the possibility of a spin-off focusing on his character, suggesting there is still much to explore about his past and rise within the organization.

Not Just a TV Series: The Experience of Squid Game Expands

In addition to the new drama series, the franchise has already demonstrated its versatility with:

Squid Game: The Challenge: The first and most concrete spin-off to see the light was Squid Game: The Challenge, a reality show which brought the series games into the real world. Launched in November 2023, this program saw 456 competitors compete for the largest prize pool in reality show history: $4.56 million. Unlike the original series, the eliminations in reality are not lethal, but they replicate the tension and strategy of iconic games such as “Red Light, Green Light” and the “Tug of War”. The success of The Challenge has demonstrated the enormous attraction of the Squid Game concept, even without the deadly component.

Netflix’s Strategy: Building an Expanded Universe

Netflix’s strategy is clear: capitalize on the global success of Squid Game, turning it into a real narrative universe. Similar to other large franchises, the goal is to create a wide range of content that can satisfy different audiences and keep engagement high. Even as Gi-hun’s story concludes, the cruel and fascinating world of deadly games is destined to live on for a long time to come, with new stories and perspectives that promise to fully explore the dynamics of power, desperation, and survival. They have made Squid Game a global phenomenon.

And the Spin-off on The Front Man?

If there is no hope of having a fourth chapter of Squid Game on Netflix, things are different if we talk about spin-offs. Well, yes, because it would seem that the only possible way to expand the Squid Game universe is to make a sequel or prequel to the story. Perhaps a prequel would be more likely, and even more likely that the protagonist of this project could be the character of Front Man, Gi-hun’s real antagonist (Lee Jung-jae). And the ending of Squid Game 3 turns the spotlight even more on this ambiguous and fascinating character. And what excites fans even more about his possible return to the small screen is the actor who plays Front Man, Lee Byung-hun, who, during an episode of Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show, a guest missed something about his character’s future.

“I’m not sure, but there is a possibility, and you never know what will happen,” are his words on the American talk show. And this is how it seems that the future of Squid Game can be represented by this character.

For now, there are no confirmations or denials, so we just have to wait to find out more.