Director Rian Johnson has unveiled the title of the next Knives Out film, Wake Up Dead Man, with its release set for 2025.
This announcement comes as fans eagerly anticipate the return of Daniel Craig in his role as the sharp-witted detective Benoit Blanc. Johnson, known for his work on the Knives Out film franchise, Looper, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, continues his dual role as writer and director for this third instalment of the acclaimed mystery series.
The production of Wake Up Dead Man is slated to start soon. Currently, Craig is the only confirmed cast member, continuing his portrayal of the detective who has become synonymous with the franchise. The plot details remain tightly under wraps, leaving fans speculating about the new mystery awaiting Blanc.
Johnson’s announcement was made via a teaser post on X/Twitter, sparking excitement with a preview that hints at the complex case Benoit Blanc is set to unravel. The title, Wake Up Dead Man, suggests a darker turn for the series, inspired by the U2 song of the same name, which touches on themes of desperation and divine intervention. The previous movies, Knives Out and Glass Onion, have also been inspired by the Radiohead and The Beatles songs respectively.
Alongside his work on the Knives Out series, Johnson is also busy with the second season of his Peacock mystery series Poker Face, starring Natasha Lyonne, and a new two-picture deal with Warner Bros.
Johnson, alongside his producing partner Ram Bergman, has hinted at the unique direction of the upcoming film. “I love everything about whodunnits, but one of the things I love most is how malleable the genre is. There’s a whole tonal spectrum from Carr to Christie, and getting to explore that range is one of the most exciting things about making Benoit Blanc movies,” Johnson stated.
The Knives Out series began with the 2019 film that saw Blanc solving the murder of a famous crime novelist. It featured an ensemble cast including Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, and Jamie Lee Curtis. The success of the original prompted Netflix to secure the rights for two sequels in a deal valued at over US$400 million. The second film, Glass Onion, followed Blanc to a tech billionaire’s private island, mixing a traditional whodunit with a satirical take on tech elitism.
Wake Up Dead Man will be released on Netflix sometime in 2025.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing Honkai: Star Rail, cosplaying, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
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