Netflix sets the stage for real-life Squid Game, winner will get $4.56M cash prize

Popular streaming service Netflix is seeking players for a new reality TV program based on its most popular series, Squid Game.

It will not, however, be a life-or-death situation, as shown in the South Korean nightmarish drama. Instead, contestants from all around the world will compete in activities where "the worst fate is going home empty-handed" and missing out on a prize pool of $4.56 million (£3.8 million).

“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,” Brandon Riegg, Netflix VP of Unscripted and Documentary Series, said in a statement. “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.”

Earlier this week, Netflix announced that the hit show would be extended for a second season.  According to the service, the first season garnered over 1.65 billion view hours in the first 28 days after its September 2021 release.

The South Korean thriller series follows a group of debt-ridden people as they compete in a terrifying series of children's games for a large cash reward.

The platform claimed on Wednesday that Squid Game: The Challenge, a 10-episode series, will have the biggest cast and huge cash reward in reality TV history. It will also be shot in the United Kingdom.

This will not only be the highest cash reward in the history of a competition show, but it will also have the largest-ever reality TV cast, with 456 contestants. Netflix is searching for English-speaking gamers, and registration is ongoing at SquidGameCasting.com.

"As [players] compete through a series of games inspired by the original show - plus surprising new additions - their strategies, alliances, and character will be put to the test while competitors are eliminated around them," the streaming service said.

The "Squid Game: The Challenge" trailer includes the famous robot doll with laser eyes, but it really doesn't say what difficulties players will face.  "Squid Game" Season 2 and "Squid Game: The Challenge" have yet to be given a release date.

Studio Lambert and The Garden will co-produce "Squid Game: The Challenge," according to the streamer. Stephen Lambert, Tim Harcourt, Toni Ireland, John Hay, Nicola Hill, and Nicola Brown are among the executive producers.