David Fincher’s American Squid Game spinoff may no longer be moving forward. The long-gestating English-language project, which had reportedly been in development at Netflix for several years, has now been shelved, according to reports.
The project was expected to bring Fincher’s dark, unsettling filmmaking style to the world of Squid Game. However, the reported cancellation comes as the filmmaker shifts his attention to his next major project, The Adventures of Cliff Booth, starring Brad Pitt.
David Fincher’s Squid Game Spinoff Reportedly Shelved
The American Squid Game spinoff had been one of Netflix’s most intriguing projects in development.
Reports about the English-language series first emerged in 2024, with David Fincher attached to direct. Dennis Kelly, the creator and writer of Utopia, was reportedly brought in to develop the scripts.
The project was believed to be an American expansion of the Squid Game universe rather than a direct remake of the original South Korean series.
However, Netflix never officially announced the show, confirmed its title or provided a production schedule.
According to sources cited by The Playlist, Netflix has now decided not to move ahead with the project.
What Was the American Squid Game Spinoff Called?
The project was reportedly being developed under the working title Heckler.
The title became associated with the project during its development, although Netflix never officially confirmed that Heckler was the final title of Fincher’s Squid Game spinoff.
In November 2025, Squid Game: America reportedly appeared on the Film and Television Industry Alliance website, which listed February 2026 as a potential filming date in Los Angeles.
However, there was no official confirmation from Netflix that cameras had actually started rolling.
The latest reports suggest that the planned production will not go ahead.
Why Was David Fincher’s Squid Game Spinoff Cancelled?
The exact reason for the reported cancellation has not been officially disclosed by Netflix.
According to reports, Netflix’s priorities surrounding the Squid Game franchise changed after years of development and changes within the company’s leadership.
Fincher’s own schedule may also have played a role.
The filmmaker has been working on several projects and has now moved forward with The Adventures of Cliff Booth, making it increasingly difficult for the Squid Game spinoff to remain a priority.
Because Netflix never formally announced the series, details surrounding its development remain limited.
Was Cate Blanchett Going to Star in the American Squid Game?
Cate Blanchett was previously linked to speculation surrounding the American Squid Game project.
However, there is no confirmed evidence that Blanchett was formally attached to star in Fincher’s planned spinoff.
The actress did appear in the Squid Game universe as a recruiter in a cameo at the end of Squid Game Season 3, which fuelled speculation that she could have a larger role in an American-set story.
At this stage, reports of her involvement in the Fincher project should therefore be treated as speculation rather than confirmed casting.
What Was David Fincher’s Squid Game Series Supposed to Be About?
Very few confirmed story details were ever made public.
The project was described as an English-language expansion of the Squid Game universe, with Fincher attached to direct and Dennis Kelly involved as writer.
Unlike a conventional remake, the project was expected to explore the concept in an American setting.
The involvement of Fincher suggested that the series could have taken a darker and more psychologically intense approach to the franchise.
However, because Netflix never officially revealed a synopsis, characters or production details, the exact story remains unknown.
David Fincher Moves On to Brad Pitt’s Cliff Booth Film
While the future of his Squid Game project remains uncertain, Fincher has moved ahead with The Adventures of Cliff Booth.
The film serves as a follow-up to Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, with Brad Pitt returning as stuntman Cliff Booth.
The project marks another collaboration between Fincher and Pitt, following their work together on films including Se7en, Fight Club and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
For fans of Fincher, the film now becomes one of his most anticipated upcoming projects.
What Does the Cancellation Mean for Squid Game?
The reported shelving of Fincher’s project does not mean that Netflix’s Squid Game franchise is ending.
The original Korean series remains one of Netflix’s biggest global hits, and its third season concluded the main story of Seong Gi-hun.
The cancelled project was an American spinoff, meaning it was separate from the core Korean storyline.
For now, fans will have to wait for Netflix to reveal whether another project will eventually expand the Squid Game universe in an English-language setting.
Final Verdict
The reported shelving of David Fincher’s American Squid Game spinoff is a major disappointment for fans who were curious to see how the filmmaker would reinterpret the franchise.
The project had all the ingredients of a fascinating collaboration: Netflix’s biggest global phenomenon, Fincher’s distinctive filmmaking style and Utopia creator Dennis Kelly as writer.
For now, however, Heckler appears to be dead in the water, while Fincher has turned his attention to Brad Pitt’s The Adventures of Cliff Booth.
David Fincher Squid Game Spinoff FAQs
Was David Fincher’s Squid Game spinoff cancelled?
According to reports cited by The Playlist, Netflix has shelved David Fincher’s planned English-language Squid Game spinoff. Netflix had not officially announced the series or confirmed its production.
What was David Fincher’s Squid Game spinoff called?
The project was reportedly developed under the working title Heckler. Another listing later referred to it as Squid Game: America, but Netflix never officially confirmed either title.
Was Squid Game: America actually filmed?
There is no indication that the planned American Squid Game spinoff was filmed. A 2025 industry listing reportedly mentioned a February 2026 filming date in Los Angeles, but Netflix never officially confirmed that production had begun.
Was David Fincher directing Squid Game: America?
David Fincher was reportedly attached to direct the English-language Squid Game spinoff. Dennis Kelly, the creator of Utopia, was also reportedly hired to write the project.
Was Cate Blanchett in David Fincher’s Squid Game spinoff?
Cate Blanchett was linked to speculation about the American Squid Game project, but there is no confirmed indication that she was formally attached to Fincher’s spinoff. Her appearance as a recruiter in Squid Game Season 3 fuelled the speculation.
Why was the American Squid Game cancelled?
The exact reason has not been officially confirmed. Reports suggest Netflix’s priorities changed around the franchise, while Fincher also moved his attention toward other projects.
