Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
director Rian Johnson discusses the potential continuation of the franchise following the anticipated release. Following the triumph of Johnson’s initial Knives Out film in 2019, the character Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, made a comeback in the 2022 sequel Glass Onion. The Southern detective is on the case again in the upcoming, celebrity-packed Wake Up Dead Man, starring notables like Josh Brolin, Cailee Spaeny, Mila Kunis, Andrew Scott, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Josh O’Connor, Thomas Haden Church, and Glenn Close.
In a recent discussion with Collider, Johnson provided insights on the future of the Knives Out series after Wake Up Dead Man. He suggested that he might continue exploring the character of Benoit Blanc if Craig remains interested in the role. However, he also mentioned that his next creative venture will diverge significantly from his recent work. Below is Johnson’s statement:
“As long as Daniel [Craig] is willing to continue and we have a concept that seems not just like another sequel but genuinely thrilling and challenging—like, ‘Can we actually pull this off?’—then I’m excited. I’m passionate about the mystery genre; it’s incredibly flexible and offers limitless possibilities. Yet, after making three consecutively, while I’m not tired of it, my next writing project will be an original work in a completely different genre. What I love about mysteries, similar to science fiction, is their ability to blend various genres. ‘Wake Up Dead Man,’ this upcoming film, is vastly different from ‘Glass Onion.’ It’s like comparing day and night. As long as we maintain this freshness, I’m thrilled.”
Implications for the Knives Out Series
Daniel Craig Discusses the Future of Benoit Blanc
While the cast of Knives Out has evolved across films, Craig’s portrayal of Blanc has been a constant, pivotal element around which Johnson shapes his narratives. Hence, Johnson expresses reluctance to pursue a Knives Out 4 without Craig. Craig himself, enjoying his role as the detective, told Variety, “If Johnson continues to write them well, then yes, I’ll continue playing the part.“
The remarks from both Johnson and Craig indicate that a fourth Knives Out film is a question of “when” rather than “if.” The success of Wake Up Dead Man could influence their eagerness to collaborate again, but given the positive critical and audience responses to Glass Onion and the original film, the third entry seems promising. With Wake Up Dead Man set to release this year and Johnson planning a different project afterward, a new Benoit Blanc mystery might not appear until 2029 or later.
Knives Out holds a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while Glass Onion scores 91%.
Our Perspective on Rian Johnson’s Update on the Knives Out Series
The Benefits of a Hiatus Between Films
Given the enthusiastic reception of the previous films, the collaboration between Johnson and Craig appears to be robustly successful. Blanc remains an engaging character, and Craig seems to relish the role, a refreshing change from his intense years as James Bond. Although a fourth movie may be years away, this gap could actually benefit the franchise.
In today’s landscape of sequels and intellectual property-driven films, delaying Knives Out 4 might allow the audience to grow eager for its return, helping Johnson avoid the pitfalls of franchise fatigue. The anticipated enthusiasm for a fourth installment will likely hinge on the success of Wake Up Dead Man. Given Johnson’s track record, however, the next mystery involving Blanc is likely to be a hit.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
