‘Heckler’: David Fincher’s ‘Squid Game’ Spinoff No Longer Moving Forward At Netflix, Familiar DP Joins ‘Cliff Booth’ Reshoots [Exclusive]

When Cate Blanchett appeared in the “Squid Game” finale as an American recruiter in Los Angeles, many assumed Netflix was teasing David Fincher’s long-rumored U.S. spinoff. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk denied the connection, while Blanchett later said she was “wildly open” to returning in any form. But if the Academy Award-winning actress does return to the franchise, it won’t be for Fincher’s version.

Sources close to the filmmaker tell The Playlist that Netflix is no longer moving forward with “Heckler,” the working title for Fincher’s long-developing English-language spinoff of the Korean phenomenon.

The project was initially conceived as an American version of “Squid Game,” though production was expected to take place in the United Kingdom. As The Playlist first reported in June 2024, Dennis Kelly, the creator and writer of the original British series “Utopia,” had been hired to write Fincher’s version.

READ MORE: Cate Blanchett “Wildly Open” To ‘Squid Game’ Spinoff But Unsure Cameo Will Carry Over To David Fincher’s Upcoming Version

Kelly and Fincher already had some indirect history. The filmmaker had previously been attached to direct an HBO adaptation of “Utopia,” written by “Gone Girl” screenwriter Gillian Flynn and expected to star Rooney Mara, before the project fell apart over budget issues. Flynn ultimately made a different version for Amazon, while Fincher eventually went directly to Kelly for “Heckler.”

According to insiders, the project originated during a period when Netflix was particularly eager to develop an American version of its Korean phenomenon. But after years in development and various executive changes at the streamer, the sources believe Netflix’s priorities for the franchise have shifted. The project also lost momentum as Fincher moved on to other films, including “The Adventures of Cliff Booth.”

Rather than build its larger “Squid Game” strategy around one English-language American offshoot, Netflix now appears more interested in exploring versions tailored to individual international markets. That could theoretically mean separate French, Norwegian, or other country-specific spinoffs, although one source stressed that those examples are speculative and no particular regional version is known to be moving forward. What does appear settled is that Fincher’s “Heckler” is no longer part of the strategy. Netflix did not respond to The Playlist’s request for comment.

As for Blanchett, there is no indication that she was ever involved. The project was not developed with her or her American recruiter character in mind.

In 2024, it was reported that Fincher was developing an English-language “Squid Game” series for Netflix, with insiders then suggesting it could become his primary focus in 2025. Subsequent production listings claimed filming could begin in 2026, although Netflix never officially confirmed the series, its title, or even a production schedule.

Hwang’s original series concluded its three-season run in 2025, while Netflix has continued expanding the property through the unscripted competition series “Squid Game: The Challenge.” “Heckler” would have marked the franchise’s first scripted English-language extension.

READ MORE: Robert Towne Says David Fincher’s ‘Chinatown’ Prequel Series Is Written & Ready To Go (But Pssst, He Pivoted To ‘Squid Game’)

Meanwhile, Fincher has since completed principal photography on “The Adventures of Cliff Booth,” the Netflix “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” follow-up that The Playlist broke the news of in April 2025. Written by Quentin Tarantino and starring Brad Pitt, the film still needs a few days of reshoots and additional pickups with Pitt, which are scheduled for this month and may already be underway.

That extra work—including rebuilding some large sets—is also part of the reason “Cliff Booth” is not appearing at the fall festivals: the film simply isn’t ready yet. The reshoots will also require an unusual midstream change behind the camera.

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Original cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt is now working on Matt Reeves’ “The Batman Part II” and is unavailable, so longtime Fincher collaborator Jeff Cronenweth will shoot the additional material. Cronenweth previously served as cinematographer on Fincher’s “Fight Club,” “The Social Network,” “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” and “Gone Girl.”

“The Adventures of Cliff Booth” will debut in an exclusive two-week IMAX theatrical run on November 25, 2026, before its global streaming release on Netflix on December 23, 2026. It remains unclear what Fincher plans to direct next, but it won’t be “Squid Game”-related.

Possibilities include the late Robert Towne-written “Chinatown” prequel series, which had been eyed as a vehicle for Tom Pelphrey; the Western “Bitterroot”; and an unnamed feature being developed with “Gone Girl” writer Gillian Flynn, which The Playlist first reported in 2024. Still, don’t be surprised if Fincher may have another original project in the mix.