Rian Johnson, the acclaimed director of the popular murder mystery series starring Daniel Craig, has shared that he is contemplating ideas for a fourth installment of the ‘Knives Out’ franchise. While the third movie, titled ‘Wake Up Dead Man’, premiered on Netflix on December 12, 2023, Johnson is already looking ahead to what could come next.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Johnson revealed, “I have some basic, elemental, conceptual ideas. Like, ‘Okay, it’d be interesting if it were this kind of thing’ kernels.” Although he has not yet developed concrete themes or specific locations, he emphasized the importance of keeping his ideas broad and vague until he is ready to put them into writing.
Future Direction of the Franchise
Johnson’s approach to the ‘Knives Out’ films focuses on capturing the essence of the current cultural moment. He believes that each film should reflect the sentiments and experiences of its time. “Part of making these movies, for me, is reacting to the present moment, not necessarily with current events or politics or culture specifically, but in terms of what we’re all feeling in the world at that moment,” he stated.
The director plans to take some time to create at least one original film before returning to the ‘Knives Out’ series for another adventure featuring Craig’s beloved character, detective Benoit Blanc. Johnson noted that the intricate plots and themes of the movies should not be rushed, as they are meant to resonate with contemporary audiences.
Franchise Background and Reception
The journey of the ‘Knives Out’ series began in 2019 with the release of the first film by Lionsgate. Following its critical and commercial success, Netflix acquired the rights for two sequels. The second installment, titled ‘Glass Onion’, was released in 2022.
‘Wake Up Dead Man’ made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023 and was subsequently released in select theaters on November 26, 2023. As Johnson contemplates the next chapter of this beloved franchise, fans eagerly await what twists and turns the future may hold for the enigmatic Benoit Blanc.
