Fincher's Squid Game Spinoff Scrapped at Netflix

David Fincher's English-language spinoff of the global hit series "Squid Game" is no longer moving forward at Netflix, according to multiple reports. The project, which had been in development for several years under the working title "Heckler," has been scrapped as the streaming giant reconsiders its expansion strategy for the franchise.

Sources close to the production told The Playlist that Netflix has decided not to proceed with the series, which would have marked a significant collaboration between the acclaimed director and the streamer. The project was first widely reported in development in 2024, with Dennis Kelly, creator of the British series "Utopia," attached to write. While never officially announced by Netflix, the series was expected to be an American adaptation of the Korean survival drama.

The cancellation appears to stem from a shift in Netflix's long-term franchise strategy. According to reports, the streamer is now more interested in developing localized versions of "Squid Game" tailored to specific international markets, rather than building a single American-centric offshoot. This approach would potentially see separate adaptations for different countries, a...