©Paramount Pictures, Courtesy of Curious Case of Benjamin Button
David Fincher is reportedly working on an English-language version of the Korean hit film Squid Game. Though Netflix has not yet officially announced the project, all indications are that the remake is definitely in the works for the streamer.
According to Rodrigo Perez of The Playlist, Fincher is postponing work on his Chinatown prequel (written by Robert Towne) to focus on Squid Game. Perez also reported that writer Dennis Kelly has been contracted to write the script for the upcoming production, which is believed to be titled Squid Game: America.
The original Squid Game series was the product of writer Hwang Dong-hyuk. In the show, which has been described by one critic as “dystopian” and a “blackly effective comment on winner-takes-all capitalism,” a group of 456 contestants compete for money by playing childhood games. Those who lose the challenge are subjected to life-threatening penalties. The second season of the show will stream in December of this year.
Squid Game was released worldwide to 94 countries on September 17, 2021. It quickly attracted more than 142 million member households and 1.65 billion viewing hours in the first four weeks after its debut, surpassing Bridgerton as Netflix’s most-watched show. It has received numerous accolades, including the Golden Globe award to O Yeong-su for best supporting actor in a series, miniseries, or television film. The first season of Squid Game also received 14 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including one for Outstanding Drama Series, making it the first non-English-language work to be nominated in this category.
David Fincher, who has received three Academy Award nominations for best director, is noted for his many films with deep psychological nuances. They include Seven, The Game, Fight Club, Zodiac, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Social Network, and Mank. Fincher also served as an executive producer and director for the Netflix series House of Cards (2013-2018) and Mindhunter (2017-2019). In addition, he He also executive produced and co-created the Netflix animated series Love, Death & Robots (2019-present).