'Season 4 of Squid Game might still happen—but there's a catch,' says series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk
Following the emotional and divisive finale of Squid Game Season 3, series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has revealed key insights into the show’s original ending, the surprising appearance of Cate Blanchett, and the lingering possibility of a fourth season. In an exclusive interview with Variety, the director provided detailed commentary on Seong Gi-hun’s final sacrifice, the narrative shift he made during writing, and clarified the much-discussed connection—or lack thereof—between Blanchett’s cameo and the rumored American spinoff from Netflix and David Fincher.
‘Squid Game’ creator details Gi-hun’s original ending, Cate Blanchett’s cameo, Season 4 chances, and debunks U.S. spinoff connections.
Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
A Finale Redefined by the Real World
The final moments of Squid Game Season 3 left audiences stunned. Lee Jung-jae’s Seong Gi-hun, the series' moral core since its explosive debut in 2021, made the ultimate sacrifice in a finale that chose philosophical closure over survival. But according to Hwang, this was not always the plan.
“Originally, Gi-hun was supposed to survive,” Hwang explained. “He might have returned to his daughter and lived with the guilt or enlightenment from his experience. But during the writing process, I saw what was happening around the world—social inequality, division, greed—and I realized that wasn’t the story’s truth anymore.”
Instead, Gi-hun’s death served a deeper purpose. The character's self-sacrifice was reimagined as a symbolic gesture for future generations, represented poignantly through the birth of a child in the final episode.
“The baby in the story was always intended to survive,” Hwang clarified. “That baby symbolizes hope, our human conscience, and the idea that we must protect what comes after us. It’s about suppressing our greed for the sake of something greater.”
The Silent Message: Gi-hun’s Final Words
In a moment that left viewers debating online, Gi-hun’s final sentence remains unfinished—his last words cut short before his death.
“I wanted the audience to complete that sentence,” Hwang said. “Humans are complex—capable of love, hope, greed, and cruelty. Gi-hun didn't need to say the words. His final act said everything about what it means to be human.”
Cate Blanchett and the Mysterious U.S. Recruiter
One of the biggest shocks of the finale was the introduction of Cate Blanchett, who appears briefly as a Squid Game recruiter in Los Angeles. Her cameo ignited immediate speculation about Netflix’s rumored U.S. adaptation, allegedly led by filmmaker David Fincher.
But Hwang was quick to clarify the intent behind the casting.
“It’s not a setup for a U.S. spinoff,” he emphasized. “I simply wanted a powerful, unexpected ending. Having Cate in that role gave the final seconds an unforgettable intensity. It was never meant to tie into another show—at least not from my end.”
Still, Hwang admitted he’d heard of Fincher’s involvement “through rumors,” but nothing official has been shared with him by Netflix.
Will There Be a Squid Game Season 4?
Although Season 3 was framed as the conclusion of Gi-hun’s arc, Hwang didn’t rule out the possibility of future Squid Game content—particularly if Netflix moves forward with a new season or a global anthology format.
“If they’re continuing the main story, I’ll have to lead it,” he said. “But if it’s a U.S. version or something new, I’d likely just consult or share ideas. I’m not interested in being fully hands-on unless I feel it’s necessary.”
Despite Gi-hun’s definitive fate, Hwang’s openness leaves the door slightly ajar for Squid Game Season 4—potentially set in a new country, with new players, or exploring the mythology behind the deadly competition even further.
The Legacy of Squid Game
Hwang Dong-hyuk’s vision has redefined global television. From winning the Emmy for Best Drama Series to igniting political and economic discourse worldwide, Squid Game transcended entertainment. And as it bows out—or perhaps transitions—the final season leaves a haunting, open-ended question about humanity, power, and sacrifice.
