Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’ Reality Competition Series Is Really Happening

While watching Squid Game, have you ever thought to yourself about how you would do if you were a contestant? Well, now that will be a reality for 456 players with a new reality competition series that Netflix has greenlit called Squid Game: The Challenge.

Per Variety, Netflix’s head of global TV Bela Bajaria announced at the Banff World Media Festival on Tuesday (June 14) that Squid Game: The Challenge will be “the biggest reality competition series ever,” hosting the largest cast and offering the largest lump sum cash prize in reality television at $4.56 million.

Contestants will go through a series of games inspired by the original show, plus new additions, which are all intended to test their strategies, alliances and character as others are eliminated around them.

Open casting calls are currently open to English-language speakers from anywhere in the world. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, own a valid passport, and be available for an "anticipated" four-week filming period in early 2023. To sign up, players must record a one-minute long video about themselves explaining why they want to be on the show, what their "game plan would be," and what they would use the cash prize for if they won. In addition to that, applicants must submit at least two recent photographs of themselves and sign an agreement form by the company. Competitors can officially apply for the games on Netflix's website here.

“Squid Game took the world by storm with Director Hwang’s captivating story and iconic imagery. We’re grateful for his support as we turn the fictional world into reality in this massive competition and social experiment,” said Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s vice president of unscripted and documentary series. “Fans of the drama series are in for a fascinating and unpredictable journey as our 456 real-world contestants navigate the biggest competition series ever, full of tension and twists, with the biggest ever cash prize at the end.”