Netflix dismisses rumors about Leonardo DiCaprio's appearance in 'Squid Game 3'
Netflix has dispelled rumors that Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio would appear in the third installment of the hit Korean thriller series, Squid Game.
"The rumors are completely false. Reports of Leonardo DiCaprio's involvement in Squid Game Season 3 are entirely unfounded," the streaming giant said in a statement obtained by Korean entertainment website Soompi.
The statement came after OSEN reported that the Titanic star had allegedly secretly wrapped the filming of his surprise appearance for the series.
This is not the first time DiCaprio was speculated to be part of Squid Game.
In 2022, director Hwang Dong Hyuk spoke about it during a press conference celebrating the series' six Emmy wins at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul.
"Leonardo DiCaprio himself has expressed that he's a fan of Squid Game. Internally, we even joked, 'Should we make an offer? Let's ask him.' Many actors indeed love and admire the series," he said.
His interview with Deadline also fueled the rumors. During that time, the Korean director said he was excited about the idea of having Hollywood actors appear in future seasons, and that would be possible if there was an "increased budget."
Netflix's biggest TV debut
On Jan. 1, Variety reported that Squid Game Season 2 is now the streaming giant's biggest television debut after garnering 68 million views during its premiere week, beating Wednesday's 50.1 million views record in 2022.
The season also placed 7th on Netflix's list of most popular non-English television titles of all time. The list is based on the titles' first 91 days of viewership.
Squid Game's first season is on top of the list with 265.2 million views.
Likewise, Netflix also dropped a poster for season 3, which it said is coming this 2025. It featured Yong-Hee, the giant animatronic doll in the Red Light, Green Light game, with another doll called Chul-su, which was teased in the post-credit scene of season 2.
Squid Game follows the story of 456 individuals buried in financial debt, playing a series of thrilling, deadly games. Only one winner would bring home the jackpot prize of 45.6 billion Korean won (P2 billion). It became Netflix's most-watched series and the most-watched show in 94 countries, getting over 142 million member households and 1.65 billion viewing hours in its first four weeks of release.
In Season 2, which premiered last Dec. 26, 2024, Seong Gi-hun or Player 456 (Lee Jung Hae) joins the deadly games again after winning the last season in a bid to save other players from harm. Original cast members joining Lee include Lee Byung Hun (The Frontman), Wi Ha-jun (police detective Hwang Jun-ho), and Gong Yoo (The Salesman). New players completing the cast are Korean actors Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Jo Yu-ri, Yang Dong-geun, Park Sung-hoon, Kang Ae-sim, and Choi Seung-hyun or T.O.P. of the K-pop group BigBang.
