Cate Blanchett appeared on the finale of the final season of Squid Game. There were rumours that a US version of the series is in development with David Fincher attached to it, Netflix has yet to confirm it officially. All episodes from season 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix. Also, see the Korean cast reaction on the cameo below.

Massive spoiler on the ending of Squid Game!

Hwang Dong-hyuk says he didn’t end the show with the intention of setting up a U.S. version of the Games — but if that happens, he’ll be watching.

THR: How did Cate Blanchett’s casting come about, and did you write the cameo with her in mind?
HD: In the beginning, I was tossing around different ideas. I thought, “Should it be a man that we see as the recruiter?” But I thought that, unlike in [the] Korea [version], having a woman who’s a recruiter for the American system would be a nice contrast and also quite a powerful, impactful element. So we were set on having a woman. Then I thought, “Who would be the right fit for that?” It’s a very short scene. There’s only one line, so we needed someone who had that level of presence and charisma to completely dominate the screen in that instant. And that naturally led me to Cate Blanchett. I’ve always been a fan of hers. She’s someone who can instantly grab your attention with a single stare. So that’s how that’s how we set on her.

THR: I’m sure you’ve heard and seen the reports about a possible David Fincher U.S. spinoff of Squid Game. What can you say about that, and either way, are you interested in watching an American Squid Game version?
HD: Honestly, nothing has been said to me officially by Netflix about this. I’ve only read it in articles myself as well. I’ve always been a huge fan of David Fincher’s work — from Seven and I’ve loved his films. So if he were to create an American Squid Game, I think that would be very interesting to watch. I would definitely click on it immediately after it’s released, if it were to happen.

THR: The Front Man has been testing humanity in this series. There was much unsaid when the Front Man saw the new recruiter played by Cate Blanchett. It proved his point that the cycle continues. What do you hope viewers are thinking about after that final scene?
HD: I didn’t have any intentions of wanting to drive all viewers into despair with the ending. (Laughs.) But the premise of the last scene was that the Front Man himself, he had heard of the other international games and recruiters being there, but he didn’t know for sure. And so he was actually also shocked to see for himself that there is this recruiter in America as well, and it was by chance that he saw her. Through the story of Gi-hun and his sacrifice, I wanted to convey the ideas of hope and also of sacrifice, and how we should never let go of it no matter how difficult things get. With the last scene, I also wanted to, however, highlight that the system is so strong and deeply rooted that it’s not something that can be easily dismantled, and therefore it requires all of our continued efforts and strong will.

Squid Game Season 3 enlisted an Academy Award–winning actor to help drive home a point: There truly is no stopping the games.

Cate Blanchett cameos in the final scene of the hit Korean thriller as a recruiter for the deadly titular competition.

“We thought having a woman as a recruiter would be more dramatic and intriguing,” says Squid Game Director Hwang Dong-hyuk. “And as for why Cate Blanchett, she’s just the best, with unmatched charisma. Who doesn’t love her? So we were very happy to have her appear. We needed someone who could dominate the screen with just one or two words, which is exactly what she did.” Hwang continues, “If Gong Yoo is the Korean Recruiter, I thought she would be the perfect fit as the American Recruiter, bringing a short but gripping and impactful ending to the story.”

Picking up in the wake of a failed revolution, Season 3 continues to chronicle the physical and philosophical struggle between Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who’s determined to take down the dehumanizing games once and for all, and Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), who desperately wants to break Gi-hun’s faith in humanity. In the aftermath of that battle of wills — and the last scene of the show — Front Man finds himself in a car in Downtown Los Angeles, and while stopped at a light, he hears some familiar noises: the sound of two ddakji tiles hitting the ground followed by a face getting slapped.

Front Man rolls down his window and sees a suited Blanchett playing ddakji with a seemingly desperate man in an alleyway. Blanchett looks up and exchanges a knowing glance with Front Man, who pulls away as Blanchett’s attention returns to her recruit, who insists on playing again — because of course he does.

Director Hwang was impressed with what Blanchett did with such limited screen time. “During the shoot, she reminded me of what true talent looks like. Even with just a few looks and lines, her performance was mesmerizing,” he says. “She was amazing at playing ddakji. I believe she successfully flipped the ddakji with her first try, and we were able to get that one long take right away.”

Speaking about the cameo in the follow-up Squid Game in Conversation, Hwang Dong-hyuk said, “We actually kept it a strict secret amongst ourselves for a very long time.”

Lee Byung-hun also revealed that despite being in the same scene, he never actually met the Hollywood actress. “We shot our parts separately with just a camera going back and forth. In the end, we parted ways without even saying hi,” although he adds Blanchett took the role seriously, saying, “I actually saw her practicing it for quite a while on set.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Squid Game (@squidgamenetflix)

Our Pink Guards kept a secret so well, even our cast was surprised by the Season 3 final scene.
Squid Game Season 3, now playing. #SquidGame pic.twitter.com/6Zc1HhQrDa

— Squid Game (@squidgame) June 28, 2025