Squid Game Zero: Will We Ever Get A Prequel?

The first two seasons of "Squid Game" are both in Netflix's top three most-watched shows of all time (Season 1 holds the top spot and Season 2 sits in third position, with "Wednesday" sandwiched in between them). It's clear that the property has huge appeal for subscribers. We know that "Squid Game" Season 3 is on the way, and fans have already started speculating about other projects, such as spin-offs and prequels.

The idea of a prequel detailing the birth of the games is particularly appealing. Such a series — which we can imagine being released under the title "Squid Game Zero" — would surely clock up viewer numbers on par with the first two seasons of "Squid Game." Why hasn't Netflix greenlit the show? And what sort of premises are fans looking for from a potential "Squid Game" prequel series?

There's one simple reason why a "Squid Game" prequel hasn't been greenlit: The main show hasn't finished its run yet. It will do so sometime in 2025, which is when Season 3 is due to drop. After this, thoughts may well turn to fleshing out the early parts of the "Squid Game" timeline. Who knows, maybe some groundwork could be laid out for a prequel series in the upcoming third season. But, until then, don't expect any announcements from the streamer about the franchise's future .

There may be another reason why Netflix hasn't announced any further "Squid Game" projects: Creator, writer, and director Hwang Dong-hyuk has stated he's kind of sick of the concept at this point. He told Variety: "I'm so exhausted. I'm so tired. In a way, I have to say, I'm so sick of 'Squid Game.' I'm so sick of my life making something, promoting something. So I'm not thinking about my next project right now. I'm just thinking about going to some remote island and having my own free time without any phone calls from Netflix."

If Hwang does decide to do more "Squid Game" after he's done with Season 3, it likely won't be any time soon, as he's already lined up his next project. It has the working title "K.O. Club," and it's based on a novel by Umberto Eco. Its full title: "Killing Old People Club." As the title suggests, it's going to be violent. In fact, Hwang has hinted that it will be even more violent than "Squid Game."

Fans have had plenty to say about what a "Squid Game" prequel series could entail. The two ideas that have come up most frequently are: A series set in the 1980s following Oh Il-nam (O Yeong-su), detailing the formation of the games; and one centered around Hwang In-ho (Lee Byung-hun), exploring how he became the (occasionally nice) Front Man. Such spin-offs would fill an important gap in the history of the games and make some headway in explaining what came before the 2020s and Gi-hun's (Lee Jung-jae) revenge.

There's been no hint that these two plotlines would be explored in any prequel, but they seem like the obvious next step, and going down this route might even fill in some Season 2 plot holes. On Reddit, fans have been excitedly discussing their ideas for a potential prequel, and one thing seems clear: People want to see how this whole thing began. "I'd like to see maybe how the first ever game went in whatever year that takes place," wrote u/EdgarsGraphic, and u/No_Source_1899 agreed, replying, "I want to see the first ever game tbf."

While there's been no word on any prequel at the time of this writing, "Squid Game" fans have a lot to look forward to in the future. On top of Season 3, a second season of the reality show "Squid Game: The Challenge" is on the way. "There was no red light in our decision to green light Season 2 of 'Squid Game: The Challenge,' the most ambitious unscripted show we've premiered at Netflix," Netflix VP of Nonfiction Series Brandon Riegg told Tudum. "We're so excited to continue the franchise of 'Squid Game' with our team in Korea, and producers at Studio Lambert and The Garden for this epic competition series."

In the States, David Fincher is working on an American version of "Squid Game," retelling the original three seasons with English-speaking protagonists. That will be on Netflix, and is set to film in 2025. It has the approval of Hwang Dong-hyuk, who told Deadline: "I don't know anything official about that, but why not, he's David Fincher, I respect his work." Interestingly, Hwang has also discussed the possibility of "Squid Game" spin-off series.

While nothing is set in stone, the franchise's creator seemed optimistic about the notion of setting a show during the gap between Season 1 and Season 2. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter about a potential interquel, he said: "There's a three-year gap. So, for example, what was the Front Man doing during those three years? What was the Recruiter doing? When I have some downtime, I like to just toss some ideas around and go wild with my imagination. So I guess we can be open to anything."