June 27th marked a significant moment for fans globally, signaling the dramatic conclusion of the core squid Game saga on Netflix with its third season finale. Far from offering solace or easy answers, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk delivered on his promise of a decidedly unhappy ending. This final chapter saw beloved characters meet tragic fates, faced harrowing situations (including a baby in peril), and culminated in a stark commentary on humanity and systemic oppression. Yet, even as the Korean narrative wrapped up, the final moments unfurled a surprising scene, hinting strongly that the deadly games themselves might be far from over, potentially setting the stage for an entirely new, american era.
The Grim Conclusion of the Korean Games
The third and final season of Squid Game brought the protagonist, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), back into the heart of the brutal competition he once survived. Despite his return, driven by complex motivations that reportedly included a promise to protect another player’s baby, Gi-hun’s journey ended tragically. According to the creator, Gi-hun did not survive the final season, making the ultimate sacrifice to save the life of a newborn baby involved in the games. This stark ending, where the baby ultimately wins the prize money and is left in the care of the Front Man’s brother, underscored Hwang Dong-hyuk’s intended message. He aimed to show that pursuing only immediate self-interest is unsustainable and that a future requires self-restraint, sacrifice, and collective effort. Gi-hun’s arc saw him reach deep despair after earlier failures, leading even to his first kill during a game, described by Hwang as an “irreconcilable original sin.”
The Front Man’s Unexpected Path
Amidst the chaos and conclusion of the Korean games, the enigmatic Front Man, In-ho (Lee Byung-hun), experienced a significant shift. Having overseen the brutal proceedings, reports indicate that by the end of Season 3, he underwent a change of heart. He reportedly left the winning baby and prize money with his brother. Furthermore, he deposited Gi-hun’s prize money and undertook a journey to Los Angeles. His stated purpose in California was reportedly to deliver the funds to Gi-hun’s daughter, Ga-yeong, and inform her of her father’s death. This trip across the Pacific placed him squarely in the location where the series finale delivered its biggest surprise, potentially tying his future directly to the games’ international expansion.
A Familiar Game, A Surprising Recruiter
The final scene of the third season finale took place in Downtown Los Angeles. As the Front Man navigated the city, he reportedly heard a distinctive, familiar sound: the slap of Ddakji tiles. The traditional Korean game, first introduced in Season 1 by the Recruiter (Gong Yoo) to recruit players, was being played on a street corner. More astonishingly, one of the participants was revealed to be none other than Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett. She was reportedly playing Ddakji with a homeless man, even slapping him when she won, mirroring the original recruitment tactic. This moment served as a powerful visual cue. It suggested that the deadly ‘Squid Game’ operation, while possibly shut down or concluding in Korea, has successfully established a presence, or is beginning to recruit, in the United States.
Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk praised Blanchett’s brief but impactful performance. He told Tudum her presence reminded him “of what true talent looks like.” He found her “mesmerizing” even with minimal dialogue and credited her skill at Ddakji, reportedly successfully flipping the tile on her first try, allowing for an efficient single take. He also noted that using a woman recruiter felt particularly “dramatic and intriguing.”
Connecting the Dots to the US Spin-off
Cate Blanchett’s appearance playing the iconic recruitment game in Los Angeles directly fuels speculation about the long-rumored English-language Squid Game spin-off. Back in October 2024, news broke that an American version of the series was in development, with acclaimed director David Fincher reportedly attached. Fincher, known for his dark and intense cinematic style, has a history of working with Blanchett (including on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button). While there is still no official confirmation from Netflix specifically linking Blanchett’s cameo to Fincher’s potential series or announcing her as a cast member, the finale’s setup is hard to ignore. Rumors circulating as of June 2025 even suggested that production for Fincher’s version could begin as early as December 2025.
Fan Theories and the Future of the Franchise
The revelation of the Front Man’s presence in LA and his witnessing of the American Ddakji recruitment has sparked a prominent fan theory, particularly active on platforms like Reddit. This theory suggests that the upcoming American Squid Game might not be a simple remake or an unrelated story. Instead, fans propose it could be a direct sequel, with the Front Man potentially becoming the new protagonist. His experiences in the final Korean season, including his apparent change of heart, could compel him to turn against the US games he once led, providing a narrative bridge and featuring a key character from the original series. However, fan reaction to the US spin-off concept itself remains mixed, with some criticizing elements like the use of the Korean Ddakji game in an American setting as uninspired.
Despite the compelling finale setup, the official status of a spin-off continuing the Season 3 narrative is currently unclear. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has expressed that he feels the main story reached a satisfactory conclusion and isn’t particularly interested in continuing directly from the Season 3 ending. His preference for future projects within the Squid Game universe leans towards exploring the significant time gap between Season 1 and Season 2, potentially focusing on the lives and activities of the recruiters or guards outside the games, or delving into other character backstories. As of June 2025, reports indicated that while Netflix is considering next steps for the hugely successful intellectual property, they had no immediate plans to announce a Squid Game spin-off directly stemming from the Season 3 conclusion, and sources suggested Blanchett’s cameo wasn’t currently intended for that purpose at this time. Nevertheless, the potential for franchise expansion remains high given the show’s global impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Gi-hun die in the Squid Game Season 3 finale?
Yes, according to interviews with creator Hwang Dong-hyuk following the Season 3 release, the protagonist Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) did not survive the final season of the Korean series. His character reportedly made the ultimate sacrifice to save the life of a baby involved in the deadly games. This brought his complex character arc, which began with his survival in Season 1 and continued through his return in Season 2 and 3, to a definitive and tragic close as intended by the creator.
What does Cate Blanchett’s cameo in the finale mean for the series’ future?
Cate Blanchett’s surprise appearance in the final scene of the Squid Game Season 3 finale strongly suggests the potential for an American iteration or spin-off of the games. She was shown playing the Ddakji recruitment game in Los Angeles. While Netflix has not officially confirmed her role in a future series, her cameo aligns with previous reports about an English-language version directed by David Fincher. Her presence indicates the deadly operation has spread internationally, even if the Korean games concluded.
Will David Fincher’s American Squid Game be a direct sequel to the Korean series?
It is not yet officially confirmed whether David Fincher’s reported American Squid Game project will be a direct sequel continuing the story after Season 3, a remake, or a spin-off set in the same universe but with a new narrative. The Season 3 finale, with the Front Man in LA witnessing Blanchett recruiting, fuels a popular fan theory that the Front Man could become the protagonist of an American sequel. However, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has stated his personal preference is for spin-offs exploring the time gap between Seasons 1 and 2, rather than continuing directly from the Season 3 conclusion. Netflix has yet to make official announcements about the format or narrative of the American project as of June 2025.
What Lies Ahead
With the main South Korean narrative of Squid Game now concluded after a dark and impactful third season, the focus shifts to the potential future of the global phenomenon. While creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has wrapped up Gi-hun’s story and expressed interest in exploring other corners of the universe (like the S1-S2 time gap), the finale’s deliberate scene featuring Cate Blanchett recruiting in Los Angeles speaks volumes. Coupled with the standing reports of a David Fincher-led American project, it seems highly probable that the world of Squid Game, with its brutal games and sharp social commentary, will continue to expand, even if the format and connection to the original series remain subjects of intense speculation and fan debate. The era of Squid Game may be over in Korea, but the game itself might just be getting started elsewhere.
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