‘Squid Game’ director’s controversial upcoming film promises to be more violent

The director of Netflix’s hit dystopian series Squid Game has revealed that he is working on his next film, which he describes as “controversial” and “more violent” than his previous offering. The film, titled Killing Old People Club, will be based on the work of Italian writer and intellectual Umberto Eco.

Speaking about the film during a session at MipTV, Hwang Dong-hyuk shared that he has penned a 25-page treatment of the project, adding that the feature will be “another controversial film” exceeding its predecessor when it comes to violence. 

He also revealed that he will be returning to South Korea to pen the next season of Squid Game, which he hopes will premiere on Netflix in 2024.

Hwang also reflected on the biggest praise he has received so far, sharing that he was told by revered Hollywood director Steven Spielberg that he wanted to “steal [his] brain”.

Narrating how the two filmmakers met at the AFI Awards luncheon last month, Hwang detailed, “Steven Spielberg told me ‘I watched your whole show in three days and now I want to steal your brain!'" He added, "It was like the biggest compliment I ever got in my life because he’s my film hero. I grew up watching his movies.”

In December 2021, Hwang shared in an interview with Korean broadcaster KBS, “I'm in talks with Netflix over season 2 as well as season 3 [of Squid Game]… We will come to a conclusion [some] time soon.”

In a statement obtained by TV Line, the director said, "It's true that we are discussing a wide variety of possibilities for Squid Game, including the production of a Season 3, but nothing has yet been set in stone."

The director has also spoken a bit about the possible direction the show may take in the second season. He explained previously, “If I do get to do one — one would be the story of the Frontman [a former cop who now oversees the game]. I think the issue with police officers is not just an issue in Korea. I see it on the global news. This was an issue that I wanted to raise. Maybe in season two, I can talk about this more.”