The finale moments of Netflix’s popular korean drama series, Squid Game left fans hyperventilating with a cameo appearance by Cate Blanchett (How to Train Your Dragon, Thor: Ragnarok), who seems to be a recruiter similar to that played by, Gong Yoo (Train to Busan, Silenced), hinting a potential spin-off the series to happen in America. According to ComicBook, a recent report has revealed an unfortunate update regarding the spin-off project, confirming that it has been shelved and that the original concept has ultimately been scrapped due to several complications encountered during development.

According to Comicbook, series director David Fincher (Se7en and Fight Club), was the driving creative force behind the project. Originally developed under the working title The Heckler, he diverted his attention on The Adventures of Cliff Booth, which was envisioned as a follow-up to the popular Once Upon a Time in Hollywood story, further exploring the character and his adventures.

Squid Game’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk (Silenced, The Fortress)  has even explained that the cameo in the final scene was not intended to be treated as a creation of a spin-off, but to demonstrate that destroying the Korean games did not eliminate the larger system. Stated by Comicbook, this didn’t stop fans worldwide jumping to conclusions and creating their own theories about what the potential spin-off would be about, and if it would follow a similar format as the original, which are particpants taking deadly challenges based on a children games.

As reported by Comicbook, this didn’t stop global fans from jumping to conclusions and theorizing about the potential spin-off—specifically whether it would follow the original’s format of placing contestants in deadly, children’s game-inspired challenges. Furthemore, Squid Game’s final cliffhanger might subvert fan expectations rather than deliver the straightforward resolution many are anticipating.

All seasons of Squid Game are available to stream on Netflix