Leonardo DiCaprio is the Squid Game showrunner’s choice to play the lead in the US rendition— Here's what he said

When Squid Game first came out in 2021, it became a massive hit almost overnight. Over 140 million households watched it, making it the biggest debut in Netflix history. What really grabbed people was how the show tackled big, uncomfortable topics like greed, inequality, and survival.

Now with Season 3 wrapped up, things have gotten even darker. Gi-hun’s choice to sacrifice himself, the brutal nature of the final games, and the fact that no one survives in the end really drove home how ruthless the world of Squid Game is. It leaves viewers with this heavy, unsettling feeling about how cruel systems can be.

And with all that said and done, fans are naturally wondering: what comes next? In a recent video interview with Vanity Fair, the South Korean thriller's creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, participated in a "How Well They Know Each Other" quiz with the cast members.

The creator asked if he were to make an all-American remake of Squid Game, which actor he would choose as the lead. Wasting no time, Lee Jung-jae (Gi-hun) said Lee Byun-hun, which was an incorrect answer.

It was Yim Siwan who mentioned Leonardo DiCaprio, which turned out to be the correct guess. The fact that the Titanic star is Hwang Dong-hyuk's first choice shows just how well-known he is internationally.

Keep reading to learn more about the engaging quiz.

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Leonardo DiCaprio is Squid Game creator’s top pick for an all-American version of the show

In the Vanity Fair segment, the cast took turns guessing who Hwang would cast in a U.S. version. Yim Si-hwan guessed correctly, Leonardo DiCaprio, after Lee Byung-hun jokingly threw out Adam Sandler.

The creator said:

"Leonardo DiCaprio. We had a lot of rumors about him. Will he be a cameo' and such."

When asked if he'd cast DiCaprio as Front Man or a player, to which Hwang said "Player" and explained that the actor is increasingly taking on characters who are emotionally fragile like Gi-hun, describing it as a "loser role". Gi-hun’s journey centers on sacrifice, inner turmoil, and moral reckoning.

Interestingly, the Inception star has explored roles like this in Revolutionary Road and The Revenant. So, Hwang emphasized that if Leonardo DiCaprio did join the cast, he’d play a player, not the new Front Man.

There were rumors about the actor playing a role or doing a cameo in Squid Game Season 3, but it turned out that the surprise role was secured by Cate Blanchett, not DiCaprio. The actress appeared as The Recruiter at the end, hinting that the deadly game isn't over.

Also Read: How a Latin phrase on the walls secretly foreshadowed Squid Game Season 3’s most brutal moments

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Is Squid Game: America really happening?

The ending of Squid Game Season 3 didn’t just wrap up the story. It also dropped a major hint about a possible U.S. version. In the final scene, Cate Blanchett shows up as a recruiter playing ddakji in a Los Angeles alley, which many fans saw as a teaser for Squid Game: America.

Reactions have been divided; some are excited about the idea, while others feel unsure about bringing such a Korean-rooted concept into an American context. Behind the scenes, there are strong rumors that a spin-off is being planned.

Reports suggest that David Fincher might direct it, with a script by Dennis Kelly, and filming could start in Los Angeles by December 2025. Fincher already has a long-term deal with Netflix, and Kelly’s darker storytelling style would match the tone of the show.

Still, nothing has been confirmed by Netflix. Hwang Dong-hyuk, the original creator, said production isn’t underway yet, but he’s open to the idea if asked. He’s also mentioned before that while Season 3 concludes the main story, he hasn’t ruled out future expansions.

For now, fans are left guessing, but Cate Blanchett’s cameo definitely feels like a clue that something more could be on the way.

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Also Read: Squid Game Season 3: Why Dae-ho was the only person Gi-hun ever wanted to kill, explained

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