Well, that just happened.
Season 3 of Squid Game has dropped and its finale delivered a jaw-dropping surprise cameo: none other than Cate Blanchett herself. 🇺🇸

While much of the season stuck to its roots, the ending scene flips the board completely, transporting viewers to Los Angeles and offering a big hint at what might be next including a long-rumored U.S. spin-off of the hit Netflix series.

The Scene: Blanchett Becomes “The Recruiter”

In a callback to Gong Yoo’s “Salesman” role in seasons 1 and 2, Blanchett’s character is seen approaching a homeless man, played by Jesse Saler, and challenging him to a game of Ddakji complete with the trademark red slap if he loses.

She’s listed as a “Special Appearance” in the credits, and although she shares the scene with Squid Game veteran Lee Byung-hun (The Front Man), the actors filmed separately.

“I actually saw her practicing it for quite a while on set,” Lee revealed in Squid Game: In Conversation.
“We never even said hi,” he added, laughing.

The Future: Squid Game: America

Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk confirmed the cameo was a closely guarded secret. And now that it’s out, fans are buzzing not just about Blanchett, but about what’s coming next.

Here’s what we know:

• A U.S.-based spin-off series is reportedly titled Squid Game: America.
• It’s not a remake, but a continuation of the original storyline expanding the universe.
• David Fincher (yes, Fight Club and Mindhunter legend) is tied to the project, though he’s currently busy with other Netflix projects until late 2025.
• Dennis Kelly, best known for Utopia, is reportedly attached as a writer.
• Filming is expected to begin in Los Angeles, December 2025.
• The series is being produced by Master Key Studios with Zeus Zamani and Rhett Giles onboard.

What It All Means

Dong-hyuk left us with this thought:

“Squid Game is a metaphor for the real world… and until that ends, the game will not end.”

With Gi-hun’s arc completed, the Squid Game franchise is clearly gearing up for global expansion. The U.S. spin-off is no longer just a rumor it’s the next logical (and lethal) round.

Final Thought

Cate Blanchett’s chilling cameo just set the stage for a massive new chapter in the Squid Game universe. Whether she returns or not, the message is clear:

The game isn’t over. It’s only getting started.