(This article contains spoilers to Squid Game 3)
Netflix Squid Game Season 3, premiered on the OTT giant on June 27, with more twisted, high-stakes games, and darkest themes of survival and betrayal. Many are not happy with the Squid Game 3 ending, but one can't ignore the surprise appearance of Hollywood star Cate Blanchett in the finale episode, which kept the audiences guessing about the possible spin-off or sequel.
Cate Blanchett in Squid Game Season 3
The makers of the Korean series added a surprise element in the final scene by introducing the Oscar–winning actor, who is the new recruiter for the brutal competition.
As per Netflix, Squid Game creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk said, "We thought having a woman as a recruiter would be more dramatic and intriguing," and added, "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 thought she would be the perfect fit as the American Recruiter, "bringing a short but gripping and impactful ending to the story."
For the unversed, Gong Yoo was the Korean Recruiter, who died in the second season of the series.
Hwang was impressed with Blanchett's performance in the limited screen time. He said that during the shoot, she reminded him of "what true talent looks like" and " even with just a few looks and lines, her performance was mesmerizing".
He also added that 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," said Hwang.
Squid Game 3 ending
The last scene of Squid Game 3 shows Lee Byung-hun's Front Man in a car in Downtown Los Angeles, and when he stops at a traffic signal, he hears the familiar sounds: the sound of two ddakji tiles hitting the ground followed by the sharp slap across the face.
Through his car window, Front Man sees Blanchett, in a black suit, playing ddakji with a tensed man in a shadowy alleyway. She is seen slapping the man hard on his face before he finally gives in. The scene ends with Blanchett making eye contact with Front Man.
Will there be Squid Game 4?
Recently, at the red carpet premiere of the show, on June 18, in New York City, Hwang Dong-hyuk teased the possibility of a spin-off.
He said, "I cannot just tell right now when and how it's going to happen. But there is a chance."
