Squid Game creator in talks to bring series to other countries

Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has confirmed he’s in talks to bring the Netflix series to other countries.

The South Korean director explained that he intentionally set up the possibility of seeing the survival game play out across the globe in the first season, when one of the VIP guests remarks: “The Korean game this year is spectacular.”

Dong-hyuk’s show centres around a blood-soaked survival game called Squid Game, which sees participants desperate to win a lump-sum of money take part in life-or-death challenges inspired by children’s games, as wealthy VIP guests watch for entertainment. Watch the trailer below:

Speaking to Deadline, Dong-hyuk said: “That was actually part of my intentions from the outset. I wrote the script in a way to hint that the Squid Game was happening in other parts of the world.”

He continued: “As you can see from the conversations that the VIPs are having, they say the Korean game this year is spectacular, which means that there are other games as well.

“I thought that if the show did well, I wanted to expand the universe further, so that other countries could have their own version of the Squid Game. Talks regarding this are ongoing.”

Back in June, Netflix announced it would be making a reality show based on Dong-hyuk’s smash-hit series called Squid Game: The Challenge.

The show will run for ten episodes and cast members will fight for a huge cash prize - but instead of being executed, they’ll simply be eliminated from the show should they fail a challenge.

Sipa US/Alamy Stock Photo

Netflix shared news of the series - which will see 456 players battle it out for $4.56 million (£3.8 million) - a few weeks ago, saying in a statement: “Netflix is bringing the global phenomenon Squid Game to life with the biggest reality competition series ever, Squid Game: The Challenge.

"With both the largest cast and lump sum cash prize in reality TV history, 456 real players will enter the game in pursuit of a life-changing reward of $4.56 million.

"As they compete through a series of games inspired by the original show - plus surprising new additions - their strategies, alliances, and character will be put to the test while competitors are eliminated around them. The stakes are high, but in this game the worst fate is going home empty-handed."

It will be shot in the UK and Netflix is looking for English-speaking applicants from anywhere in the world.