〈Squid Game〉 What if there were an American version… A personal casting for the 〈Squid Game〉 American version

Yes. The game does not end. Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae)'s journey has come to an end, but the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) and the viewers witnessed that 'Squid Game' is still ongoing in America. Now that the baton has been passed from Korea, what will the American <Squid Game> look like? Perhaps it might resemble the first season, which received the best reviews in the <Squid Game> saga? While there is a high possibility of flowing into completely new content, on the other hand, I am also curious about a Season 1 interpreted with an American sensibility. If the American version of <Squid Game> chooses 'repetition', which actors would be cast? Cineplay reporters have conducted a virtual casting of the main characters in the drama with a bit of personal desire. They selected a total of 5 characters, including Seong Gi-hun, the Front Man, Oh Il-nam, Hwang Jun-ho, and characters they would like to see portrayed, along with the actors they would like to see play them. What do the readers think? Please leave your thoughts in the comments.

Chua Young's Casting

Seong Gi-hun played by Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy, who has already shown extreme survival instincts in <Mad Max: Fury Road> and <The Revenant>, seems perfect for the role of Seong Gi-hun. Hardy, who has adeptly portrayed the duality and human weaknesses of characters, will likely express the lethargy of Seong Gi-hun revealed in the early parts of <Squid Game> and the gradually emerging humanity and human anguish with great delicacy.

Oh Il-nam played by Willem Dafoe

Oh Il-nam is the most complex and enigmatic character, hiding a tremendous secret behind the appearance of a frail old man facing death. He possesses a duality that sometimes reveals human compassion while enjoying the cruelty of the game. Willem Dafoe is the ideal actor for such a multifaceted character. He has effectively portrayed the warmth of Bobby, who discreetly protects children in <The Florida Project>, and the madness of the authoritative yet inscrutable lighthouse keeper Thomas in <The Lighthouse>. His mad performance could also express the madness of Oh Il-nam, who enjoys watching Seong Gi-hun agonize within the game he has set up.

Front Man Hwang In-ho played by Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy, who portrayed Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow in <Batman Begins>, chillingly expressed the madness and coldness lurking beneath a calm and intellectual surface. I believe he will also effectively portray the duality of the Front Man. Murphy's unique 'quiet anxiety' and psychological depth fit perfectly with the mystery and coldness of the Front Man.

Hwang Jun-ho played by Josh O'Connor

Josh O'Connor, who excels at portraying the inner struggles of outsiders, will likely depict the tragic nature of Hwang Jun-ho, who cannot reach his brother's true feelings, in a more dimensional way.

Jo Sang-woo played by Jesse Eisenberg

Jesse Eisenberg's friendly appearance fits well with Jo Sang-woo's ordinary face. Although he appears ordinary on the outside, he can convincingly portray the duality of a character who harbors coldness and selfishness within.

Kim Ji-yeon's Casting

Seong Gi-hun played by Steve Carell

As the seasons progress, he has transformed into a champion of justice, but initially, the Seong Gi-hun of the <Squid Game> series represented a comically absurd and pathetic middle-aged man. Therefore, the casting for the role of Seong Gi-hun must follow a few prerequisites. This is the first lesson: not too handsome. Now the second lesson: not too good at action. Finally, the third lesson: not to appear too good or evil. So, I cautiously suggest Steve Carell. Of course, it’s not just because he is a master of comedy. Watching his performances in <Little Miss Sunshine>, <The Big Short>, and <Foxcatcher>, I realized that his true strength lies in serious acting. Moreover, due to his wide acting spectrum that oscillates between comedy and drama, Steve Carell could excellently embody the character of Seong Gi-hun, who fluctuates between awkwardness, timidity, and a hero filled with humanity. I also thought of Jim Carrey, but he seems to be making retirement rumors for himself lately, making it unlikely.

Front Man played by Robert Downey Jr.

Is there a more impactful scene than when the mask is removed and Robert Downey Jr.'s face appears? Just as Lee Byung-hun's Front Man did, the Front Man must show a human side while participating in the game as Oh Young-il, and also display charisma in the position of the Front Man. The actor who can embody both aspects is undoubtedly Downey Jr.

Oh Il-nam played by Morgan Freeman

Since Season 1, many fans of <Squid Game> have desired this casting. Oh Il-nam appears to be a kind and gentle old man, but in reality, he is the final boss, so an actor who can embody his dual character must be cast. Therefore, among older Hollywood actors, Morgan Freeman is the only one who possesses both the face of an ordinary old man and the face of a powerful figure.

Hwang Jun-ho played by Robert Downey Jr.

As the most unpredictable character throughout the seasons, I struggled with the virtual casting. However, conversely, he is the character with the highest degree of casting freedom, and there is ample room for reinterpretation. So, what if Hwang Jun-ho is set as the Front Man's sister? Or, what if he is the identical twin brother of the Front Man? If Robert Downey Jr. plays both roles, the narrative of Hwang Jun-ho will surely gain strength. Downey Jr. has already experienced playing multiple roles in <The Sympathizer>.

Thanos played by Awkwafina

If the Korean <Squid Game> cast the real rapper Top (Choi Seung-hyun) as Thanos, then the Hollywood <Squid Game> should also show a corresponding 'real hip-hop'. Thanos is a character who maintains high tension throughout the serious game, and Awkwafina's unpredictable image fits well with that. If Awkwafina plays Thanos, a character with a different charm from Top's Thanos will be born.

Seong Chan-eol's Casting

Seong Gi-hun played by Mark Ruffalo

The essence of Seong Gi-hun is his ordinariness. It contains both positive and negative images, and Mark Ruffalo comes to mind as an actor who can properly capture that. Think about it. He does thrillers, biopics, superhero films, romances, comedies, and even plays multiple roles. Moreover, he is down-to-earth and has quite a few heartwarming stories outside of his work. He can confidently claim that both his acting and image are suitable for Seong Gi-hun. While it is uncertain what direction the remake will take, if it showcases ordinary people in dire situations like the Korean version of <Squid Game>, using Mark Ruffalo as a main character could enrich the work even more.

Oh Il-nam played by Jonathan Pryce

It is really difficult to choose an older Hollywood actor. It seems that this actor would bring a certain flavor, and that actor would bring another flavor. Initially, I considered choosing bold and vintage actresses like Glenn Close or Helen Mirren. However, when Jonathan Pryce came to mind, all roads eventually led to him. He is an actor who can reveal a diverse face, having a similar age to Oh Il-nam and having worked in numerous films. While he appears to have a strong and kind image, his acting skills would allow him to perfectly embody the more violent and secretive true nature of Oh Il-nam. To add a bit more, the backgrounds of Mark Ruffalo, who is of Italian immigrant descent and had a tough youth, and Jonathan Pryce, an elite from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, will also help interpret the work.

Front Man/Hwang In-ho played by Jake Gyllenhaal

He will leave a strong impression when the mask is removed. And he should have a face that looks kind yet can appear selfish. Could Jake Gyllenhaal… make it possible? His big eyes and slightly upturned mouth are unforgettable to anyone who sees them. Depending on the expression he makes, he can be a reliable person or a sociopath who would trample anyone in his way. There’s no need to look far; just think of Mysterio from <Spider-Man: Far From Home>. He gained the trust of others with his friendly and easygoing demeanor while also embodying the archetype of an arrogant villain. His unique ambiguity could make the character of the Front Man even more interesting. It is essential that he acts as well as Lee Byung-hun. Personally, I hope actors like Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Gosling, and Edward Norton, who appear somewhat gentle yet sharp, take on this role.

Hwang Jun-ho played by Jonathan Bailey

In fact, there are no particularly prominent figures for Hwang Jun-ho. Since in the original, he was the half-brother of Hwang In-ho, it would be good to cast a person of color. Actors with gentle appearances like Steven Yeun or Anthony Ramos would also be suitable to enhance the metaphor of <Squid Game>. However, if we must choose a white actor for consistency in the virtual casting, how about Jonathan Bailey? With a height of 180cm and quite distinct features, he has a somewhat generic (?) appearance that does not evoke a specific image. His physical movements, honed on musical and theatrical stages, would also suit Hwang Jun-ho's busy actions well.

Nam Gyu played by Barry Keoghan

Naturally, and I apologize, I do not want to give Barry Keoghan a normal role. There are hardly any characters in <Squid Game> that fit the description of normal. Nam Gyu, who harbors resentment towards Thanos's indifference while also wanting to enjoy what he has (power or drugs), is a character who hard carries Seasons 2 and 3 of <Squid Game>. Especially, Noh Jae-won's crazy acting is exceptional, and while it has a different quality, Barry Keoghan is also one of the most notable 'crazy actors' in Hollywood these days. If you have seen his acting even once, you would acknowledge that he could create dramatic tension in any part of <Squid Game>. Among them, the role of Nam Gyu, who enjoys the situation while suffering from subtle inferiority complex, would create a perfect synergy with him.

Joo Seong-cheol's Casting

Seong Gi-hun played by Leonardo DiCaprio

Everyone remembers the news that Leonardo DiCaprio was rumored to appear in <Squid Game> Season 3 and had secretly completed filming in the U.S. Netflix quickly announced that it was 'baseless rumors', making all that news fake news, but the aftershocks of that fake news lasted long because DiCaprio had successfully worked on the Netflix film <Don't Look Up> (2021). Perhaps it was because everyone thought DiCaprio would fit perfectly in the role of Seong Gi-hun.

Oh Il-nam played by Al Pacino

I am reminded of Al Pacino, who played the former superstar Danny Collins, who chooses to live a life of wealth and fame while driving a supercar every day in <Danny Collins> (2015). After receiving a letter from 'John Lennon' sent to him 40 years ago, he decides to live a new life, canceling all world tours and staying at a quiet hotel in New Jersey. The image of the old man Oh Il-nam, who participates in the Squid Game, tired of everything in the world, reminds me of Danny Collins, or rather, the elderly Al Pacino.

Front Man Hwang In-ho played by Tony Leung

No need for long explanations. As soon as I saw the silver-haired Tony Leung in the New Jeans music video 'Cool with you', I thought of the Front Man.

Hwang Jun-ho played by Martin Freeman

The subtitle summarizing the three seasons of <Squid Game> would be <Hwang Jun-ho: An Unexpected Journey>. This also needs no long explanation. Martin Freeman appeared as Bilbo Baggins in <The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey> (2012).

Other roles of Geum-ja and Yong-sik

The loving mother and the immature son immediately bring to mind Jacki Weaver and Seth Rogen. In <Silver Linings Playbook> (2012), she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the mother who appropriately comforts and embraces her son Pat (Bradley Cooper), who has just come out of a mental hospital. Of course, this fits very well with Geum-ja's (Kang Ae-sim) character, who makes an unexpected significant decision in <Squid Game> Season 3. And for the role of the immature son, as well as Yong-sik's (Yang Dong-geun) unique awkward and timid voice, there seems to be no better casting than Seth Rogen. It fits perfectly when put together in a photo.