Squid Game fans go wild over unexpected A-list cameo in finale twist

Warning: May contain Squid Game spoilers

Squid Game fans have said the same thing after a surprising cameo in the series' final moments.

In the concluding scene of the third season finale, which dropped on Friday June 27, audiences were whisked away from the bleak battlegrounds of South Korea to the streets of Los Angeles. Two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett made a jaw-dropping cameo which had fans wondering why.

Blanchett was spotted discreetly recruiting new American participants, suggesting that the deadly game could soon be targeting the U.S...

Her fleeting appearance caused speculation that Netflix is considering an international expansion of its most-viewed franchise. Although the streaming giant hasn't officially announced plans for a spin-off, Blanchett's cameo makes one thing certain - the game isn't over.

The six-episode final season of Squid Game landed just six months after the second season broke viewership records. Returning protagonist Gi-Hun (Lee Jung-jae) faced his most lethal challenge yet, culminating in a fierce face-off with The Front Man (Lee Byung-hun).

Increasing the death toll and pushing ethical boundaries, including a shocking twist involving a newborn contestant, designed to shock viewers, the show did not hold back reports the Mirror US.

"Each season, we tried to stretch the boundaries of what people would expect," revealed creator Hwang Dong-hyuk in a statement following the release. "We wanted to show the lengths to which the powerful will go, and how deeply corrupt systems can entrap even the most innocent."

Squid Game quickly rose up the charts after its release in September 2021, bagging Emmys for both Hwang and Lee. It also marked a significant shift for international content on Netflix, becoming the platform's most-watched series ever.

Season two premiered with record-breaking viewership, securing the third-most-watched spot globally. The addition of Blanchett has caused rumours over what fans can expect next.

The Australian actress, renowned for her selectivity and affinity for auteur-driven projects, has received eight Academy Award nominations, winning for The Aviator and Blue Jasmine. Her work in Mrs. America and Disclaimer further solidified her standing in high-quality storytelling.

Blanchett had previously expressed her willingness to explore longer-form television, telling The Hollywood Reporter in 2024, "If a story came my way that I felt could benefit from the amount of time that serialized storytelling can give it then, yeah. But I suppose it just depends."

And fans took to social media to share their thoughts. One person wrote: " Does that mean there will be a spin off US version for Squid Game with Cate Blanchett on board?"

Another said: "Cate Blanchett appears in the final moments of 'Squid Game' Season 3 as an American recruiter. What does this signify?"

A third added: "CATE MF BLANCHETT??!!!!!! DOES THIS MEAN WE'RE GONNA GET SQUID GAME US VER???????"

Squid Game is streaming on Netflix