Netflix is bringing Squid Games to reality by introducing a reality show based on a similar concept without the life-and-death stakes, of course. It is currently being promoted as “the biggest reality competition ever.”
Just recently, the streaming site renewed Squid Game for another season, and now they plan on launching a reality TV show based on the South Korean show. Squid Game was released in September and quickly became one of the most-watched series on Netflix with over 1.65 billion views within the first 28 days. Stranger Things season 4 which was released a month ago is the second most-watched show as of now.
On Tuesday, an announcement was made at Banff World Media Festival: Squid Game to be adapted into a reality TV production after its smashing success worldwide.
Unlike the original you won’t have to fight for your life (hopefully), however, Squid Game: The Challenge will comprise of 456 players who’ll battle it out in a series of games inspired by the film for a chance to win $4.56 million. As per Netflix, it is the biggest cash prize for any competition in TV history.
Squid Game: The Challenge will also be assembling the largest cast for a competition.
Netflix will bring Squid Game to life in the form of a reality competition called Squid Game: The Challenge. The series will feature both the largest cast and lump sum cash prize in reality TV history, with 456 real players vying for a $4.56 million reward. #SquidGame
— Jean-Charles GAND (@jeancharlesgand) June 15, 2022
Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s VP of unscripted and documentary series said:
“Squid Game took the world by storm with [director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s] captivating story and iconic imagery. We’re grateful for his support as we turn the fictional world into reality in this massive competition and social experiment. Fans of the drama series are in for a fascinating and unpredictable journey as our 456 real world contestants navigate the biggest competition series ever, full of tension and twists, with the biggest-ever cash prize at the end.”
Netflix’s head of global TV Bela Bajaria made the announcement during a panel moderated by The Hollywood Reporter’s editorial director Nekesa Mumbi Moody. The reality TV show will consist of 10 episodes and a teaser video was also released for Squid Game: The Challenge.
Watch the teaser for Netflix’s Squid Game: The Challenge right here:
A reality version of Squid Game comes as no surprise given the craze and hype it created worldwide. YouTuber MrBeast even produced an unofficial version of the reality game show of his own which garnered over 250 million views since its release in November. Director Hwang also praised the 25-minute video, “I watched some of it, I loved it, it helps me to promote the show.” Netflix didn’t present any comments on the self-made production.
Casting is open for Squid Game: The Challenge and applications can be filed at squidgamecasting.com. The competition is open to contestants worldwide however, they should be able to communicate in English. Although the entire series was in Korean, this requirement may be a bit controversial.
Do you want to play a game? Enter to join Squid Game: The Challenge at https://t.co/MaXfZnqmvb pic.twitter.com/6gYLXlplDC
— Netflix (@netflix) June 14, 2022
Given the gameplay would consist of giving out instructions in English, the player should be able to understand the language. Players may speak to each other in any language they prefer but speaking and understanding English is a must. Perhaps, if the show is a success it can be adapted for other regions and languages. Much like other Netflix shows: Love is Blind and The Circle.
The production will be tricky as the producers will have to cover each of the 456 players because they don’t know who’ll be proceeding to the latter stages and eventually becoming the “protagonists”. Thus, it’ll be edited and crafted accordingly adding dramatic effects where necessary. The series will be kept interesting by adding various elements to the competition to catch the players off guard.
Do you think you’ve got it in you to participate in the real-world version of Squid Game? Let us know!
Squid Game revolves around a character who’s a divorced father and gambler, played by Lee Jung-jae. He enters a game competition in the hopes of making easy cash for the sake of his daughter. However, his mind is blown when he finds he’s amongst the 456 players who’ll be participating in a series of children’s games while putting their lives at risk and the last one standing gets the prize. If you’re a sucker for good character development, this show’s a must-watch.
So far, there hasn’t been any indication about how the reality show will unfold and the huge cash prize will be distributed. Whether it’ll be winner-takes-all or the cash prize will be distributed among the finalists? Let’s see.
Squid Game: The Challenge will be co-produced by Studio Lambert (The Circle) and The Garden (24 Hours in A&E), part of ITV Studios. The production is to begin filming in the UK. Executive producers include Stephen Lambert, Tim Harcourt, and Toni Ireland from Studio Lambert; and John Hay, Nicola Hill, and Nicola Brown from The Garden.
