Despite completing his lucrative two-film deal with Netflix, filmmaker Rian Johnson, the man behind the acclaimed "Knives Out" series, says he has no plans to leave his wildly popular murder-mystery franchise.
Following the runaway success of the original 2019 hit "Knives Out," Netflix struck a blockbuster agreement with Johnson and his producing partner Ram Bergman in 2021, a reported $450 million deal that granted the streamer rights to two sequels. That commitment has now been fulfilled with the upcoming third film, "Wake Up Dead Man." But if Johnson has his way, the adventures of his Southern sleuth Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, are far from over.
"I don't feel burnt out doing these at all. If anything, I feel energized after doing this one. So as long as audiences want to keep seeing it, and Daniel and I are still having fun making them and still feel like we can come up with stuff that feels not just fresh, but a fresh challenge for us, I think that'll translate to a new experience for the audience," said Johnson.
He added, "For now, I'd be thrilled to keep making these for the rest of my life."
Johnson's newest entry, "Wake Up Dead Man," puts a gothic twist on the "Knives Out" formula, blending the filmmaker's signature humor and intricate plotting with a moodier, more atmospheric tone. This time around, Detective Blanc investigates the suspicious death of a fiery priest, portrayed by Josh Brolin, while Jacob Elordi's character - another member of the clergy - quickly becomes the prime suspect.
"In a way, it's a much more grounded and somber movie," Johnson explained. "But I still think it's very funny, and maybe even a little more so than the others, because you're not supposed to fart in church. Because of the seriousness of it, it makes the funny stuff a little more contrast."
"Wake Up Dead Man" officially kicked off the 2025 London Film Festival on Wednesday night, where Johnson and much of his all-star cast gathered at the Royal Festival Hall for the world premiere. Alongside Daniel Craig, the ensemble includes Daryl McCormack, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Cailee Spaeny, Kerry Washington, and Andrew Scott.
Tags: rian johnson, knives out, wake up dead man