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Cate Blanchett's shocking cameo in Squid Game 3: What it means for fans and future spin-offs

Cate Blanchett's shocking cameo in Squid Game 3: What it means for fans and future spin-offs

Time of India12 hours ago
That Finale Twist-Cate Blanchett in a Suit Playing Ddakji? Yes, You Read That Right!
So, you've just binged Squid Game 3, and you're still recovering from the emotional rollercoaster, right? But then-BOOM!-the last scene drops: Cate Blanchett, yes, The Cate Blanchett, strutting down an American alley in a sharp suit, slapping down ddakji like she's been training her whole life. If your jaw hit the floor, you're not alone. This wild cameo has sent the fandom into a total meltdown, with everyone asking: "Wait, are we getting a US version of Squid Game now?"
Turns out, even the cast was blindsided.
Wi Ha Joon
(our forever detective Jun Ho) admitted in interviews that he had no clue about Blanchett's appearance and was just as shocked as the rest of us. He fangirled hard, calling her "so cool and impressive" and confessed he'd love to join if there's ever an American spin-off. Imagine Jun Ho chasing down game recruiters in LA-now that's a crossover we need!
Fans Are Freaking Out-But Not Everyone's Loving the "US Version" Hype
While some are hyped about a possible Hollywood spin, a lot of OG fans are... not having it. Social media blew up with hot takes, with many saying turning Squid Game into an Americanized version would just ruin its soul. "Why play ddakji in the US?" "Stop making everything American!"-the comments are savage. It's like when your favorite Bollywood film gets a weird Hollywood remake and you're just cringing the whole time.
Director
Hwang Dong Hyuk
, the mastermind behind the series, tried to cool things down. He made it super clear: Cate Blanchett's cameo was just for dramatic effect, not a teaser for a real US spin-off. He said, "There are no official plans for a spinoff or US version. The story is finished." So, for now, all those rumors about David Fincher directing a new Squid Game are just fan fiction.
The Cast Is Just as Obsessed as We Are
Wi Ha Joon couldn't stop talking about how much he loved the new characters this season, especially the villains and those with mysterious backstories. He even joked about wanting to play childhood games like "Red Light, Green Light" and "Gonggi" (the Korean version of five stones) if he ever got to join an American version. That's like Ranveer Singh saying he'd crush at kabaddi if Squid Game ever came to Mumbai!
The cast's reactions are honestly super relatable-when even the actors are fangirling over Cate Blanchett, you know it's a big deal.
Why This Finale Hit Different for Youth
Let's be real: Squid Game is basically the K-drama version of all those intense game shows we grew up watching, just with way higher stakes (and, okay, a lot more blood). Seeing a global star like Cate Blanchett join the chaos makes it feel like anything's possible. But it also hits a nerve-nobody wants to see their favorite desi or Korean stories get watered down by Hollywood just for the sake of it.
Still, there's something super cool about how a show about childhood games, survival, and fighting the system can connect people from Seoul to Surat. Whether or not we ever see a US Squid Game, this finale proved that a good story can break all the borders-and maybe, just maybe, make us dream a little bigger.
And hey, if they ever do a Mumbai version, you know we'll be there, ready to slap down some paise for a game of lagori.
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