Rian Johnson Shares His Condition to Make More Knives Out Movies

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During an interview with Collider while promoting the new season of Poker Face, director Rian Johnson expressed his readiness for the release of Wake Up Dead Man this year and discussed the conditions for creating additional installments in the Knives Out series. When asked about Benoit Blanc’s future, Johnson mentioned that he would be open to making more Knives Out movies if Daniel Craig agreed, but only if they could find a captivating storyline to tell. Johnson emphasized that he wouldn’t want to continue the Knives Out franchise without a strong narrative reason.

Johnson expressed that as long as Daniel Craig continues to be interested in the role and they come up with an idea that excites them beyond just producing another film, they will continue with the James Bond series. He shared his affection for the mystery genre, finding it versatile and full of possibilities, yet he’s ready to explore a new, non-mystery genre for his next project. Johnson mentioned that while the upcoming movie “Wake Up Dead Man” is different from “Glass Onion,” the key is to keep varying their projects to maintain excitement.

In 2019, the initial “Knives Out” movie garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success, leading to Johnson receiving a Best Original Screenplay nomination at the Oscars. Following this achievement, the filmmaker signed a deal with Netflix to create two sequels. The first of these spin-offs, titled “Glass Onion,” which premiered in 2022, also received positive reviews, although it had a restricted theatrical release. Craig anticipates that “Wake Up Dead Man” will secure a wider theater distribution.

Earlier this year, Netflix confirmed that the series “Wake Up Dead Man” will be released later on in the year. The premiere is planned for fall, but the exact date has not been revealed yet. So far, Netflix’s promotional efforts for “Wake Up Dead Man” have only featured still images displaying the new appearance of character Benoit Blanc.

The movie “Knives Out” has the potential for numerous follow-ups, given its adaptable storyline. The series adopts an anthology style, where detective Blanc takes on a new case in each episode. Provided Craig is willing to continue, there’s no reason Knives Out can’t carry on beyond “Wake Up Dead Man,” but Johnson is taking the right approach. It remains to be seen how “Wake Up Dead Man” will turn out, but the initial two films received much praise, and it would be disappointing if future installments didn’t meet that high standard. Despite enjoying Craig’s interactions with the star-studded ensembles Johnson has created, another Knives Out film would only be worth making if Johnson found a compelling storyline. Throughout his career, Johnson has demonstrated an ability to think creatively, and it’s reassuring he won’t proceed with another Knives Out unless he has a fresh idea in mind.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Daniel Craig’s portrayal of Benoit Blanc in Knives Out and its sequels. However, it seems that Craig might be yearning for a change from this beloved character. After three consecutive movies centered around him, it makes sense that he desires some time off to explore other creative ventures.

Craig’s past work such as Brick, Brothers Bloom, Looper, and even The Last Jedi showcase his exceptional talent for breathing new life into familiar themes. It’s thrilling to imagine the unique stories he might come up with next. Here’s hoping that inspiration strikes soon for another captivating Benoit Blanc mystery!

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2025-05-02 22:14