So, Why is Cate Blanchett in ‘Squid Game' Season 3?
The actress could be seen wearing a suit as she played ddakji with a stranger, just like the The Recruiter does when selecting players for the brutal games.
The 56-year-old Hollywood star's cameo in the Korean thriller had viewers completely thrown as they took to X (formerly Twitter).
"WDYM Cate Blanchett is in Squid Game s3?" one viewer wrote in all caps.
"Seeing Cate Blanchett in Squid Game as The Recruiter is the best thing I ever witnessed," another said.
Cate Blanchett in Squid Game S3 was not on my 2025 Bucket List, but here the f**k we are," a third wrote.
So, why exactly is Cate Blanchett in the final installment of Squid Game? Here's everything you need to know.
Speaking about his reason to cast Cate Blanchett, the show's director Hwang Dong-hyul explained: "We thought having a woman as a Recruiter would be more dramatic and intriguing."
"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 continued: "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."
Following the final round of games, the Front Man (Lee Byung-hu) finds himself in a car in Downtown Los Angeles. While stopped at a light, he hears some familiar sounds of two ddakji tiles hitting ground, followed by a sharp slap. He rolls down the window to see a suited Cate Blanchett playing ddakji with a man. Blanchett looks up and exchanges a knowing glance with the Front Man, before the car pulls away.
"During the shoot, she reminded me of what true talent looks like. Even with just a few looks and lines, her performance was mesmerizing," Hwang added. "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."
Last year, it was reported that director David Fincher, who is behind Netflix's House of Cards, was working on an American version of Squid Game.
Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk also confirmed to TheWrap: "Season three is not going to be the end of the Squid Game universe" and Lee Jung-jae, who portrays Seong Gi-hun, expressed his excitement over Fincher's adaption, telling Complex: "I'm looking forward to it so much, I can't wait to see it and I have high expectations."
Well if Cate's in it, we're sold!
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