Netflix Squid Game US Spinoff Cancelled: Forbes Says It May Be Time to Let Go of the Franchise
American business magazine Forbes has commented on reports that Netflix has officially scrapped its planned U.S. spinoff of the hit Korean series Squid Game, suggesting that the streaming giant may be better off moving on from the franchise altogether.
The report follows news from U.S. entertainment outlet The Playlist revealing that the English-language spinoff project, tentatively titled Heckler, has been officially canceled.
Forbes Perspective on the Cancelled U.S. Adaptation
In a report released on Friday, Forbes called the cancellation a wise decision, characterizing it as “scrapping a bad-sounding project before it even has a chance to make it to air.”
| Key Project Parameter | Details & Status |
| Project Title (Tentative) | Heckler (U.S. Spinoff of Squid Game) |
| Attached Director | David Fincher (Fight Club, The Social Network, Mank) |
| Current Status | Officially Scrapped / Production Cancelled |
| Production Budget Issues | Original Series Seasons 2 & 3 surged from $21M to $69M |
| Alternative Strategy | Exploring local, non-English international adaptations |
Forbes noted that attempting a Westernized remake of the iconic Korean social satire was inherently questionable:
“Whether or not it would have been a big hit is unclear, but surely not at the scale of the original. For once, maybe it’s time to let a franchise go, even if it was hugely popular for a time.”
— Forbes Analysis
Director Schedule and Strategic Priorities
Industry sources indicate that the spinoff lost momentum primarily due to director David Fincher’s shifting schedule. Fincher has prioritized other projects for Netflix, including The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a sequel to Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
[Factors Behind U.S. Spinoff Cancellation]
├── Director Scheduling: David Fincher shifted focus to 'The Adventures of Cliff Booth'
├── Strategic Realignment: Netflix prioritizing Oscar-contending original films
├── Audience Fatigue: Long gaps between seasons and escalating budgets ($21M → $69M)
└── Market Shift: Focus shifting toward local international adaptations over English remakes
Furthermore, analysts suggest Netflix chose to channel resources toward Fincher’s potential award-contending films as the platform continues its aggressive pursuit of Academy Award recognition.
Diminishing Returns and Future Franchise Outlook
The decision also reflects broader concerns regarding the long-term viability of the Squid Game intellectual property. Critical reviews for subsequent seasons noted a decline in artistic impact compared to the groundbreaking 2021 original series, alongside a tripling of production budgets.
While director Hwang Dong-hyuk previously clarified that Cate Blanchett’s cameo in the Squid Game finale was unrelated to the U.S. spinoff, Netflix is now reported to be prioritizing localized, market-specific content rather than forcing English-language adaptations of global Asian hits.
The Netflix Squid Game US Spinoff Cancelled Forbes discussion highlights a pivotal shift in streaming content strategy, signaling a move away from unnecessary remakes in favor of original global storytelling.
