Advertisement
Following the phenomenal worldwide success of Squid Game Season 3, talks of an American spinoff have begun stirring excitement once again. While nothing has been officially confirmed, series creator Hwang Dong Hyuk recently addressed the growing buzz—and even shared who he’d love to see lead a U.S. version of the show.
In a group interview with Vanity Fair—featuring cast members Lee Jung Jae, Lee Byung Hun, Kang Ae Sim, Im Si Wan, Park Sung Hoon, and Jo Yuri—Hwang spoke candidly about what the future of Squid Game might look like. The conversation was mostly light-hearted, but it took an interesting turn when the topic of a possible American adaptation came up.
When asked about potential casting for Squid Game America, Hwang encouraged the cast to guess who he had in mind. After a few playful suggestions—including a humorous guess of Adam Sandler by Lee Byung Hun—Im Si Wan correctly named Leonardo DiCaprio. To everyone’s delight, Hwang confirmed that DiCaprio would be his top choice for the role of the main character.
The director explained his reasoning by referencing the buzz that once surrounded DiCaprio’s rumored cameo in the original series. While that never materialized, Hwang noted that the actor would make an ideal lead if a U.S. version ever came to life. Specifically, he said he could envision DiCaprio playing the role of Song Gi Hun, originally portrayed by Lee Jung Jae.
“He’s really gotten good at playing down-on-their-luck characters, like Gi Hun,” Hwang commented, pointing to DiCaprio’s more recent roles where he portrayed emotionally complex or struggling protagonists. The remark seemed to suggest that DiCaprio could bring depth and nuance to the role of a morally conflicted player caught in a high-stakes survival game.
However, Hwang was quick to shut down rumors that a U.S. version was already in production or set to begin filming by December 2025 under director David Fincher. While he confirmed that no such plans are currently in motion, he didn’t rule out the idea entirely. “If I were officially asked, I’d seriously consider it,” he said, leaving the door open to possibilities down the line.
For now, fans can only speculate, but the idea of Leonardo DiCaprio entering the Squid Game universe has certainly added a new level of intrigue to the franchise’s future. Whether it becomes a reality remains to be seen—but the hype has already begun.