Jeremy Renner‘s Knives Out journey from hot sauce mogul to doctor has taken a dramatic turn, with the actor playing Dr. Nat Sharp in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the newest addition to Netflix’s acclaimed franchise. The film, featuring Daniel Craig returning as detective Benoit Blanc and directed by Rian Johnson, ignites questions about how Renner’s new role fits into the series’ established universe.
The recently released trailer for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery teases a fresh mystery and introduces a wide-ranging cast for the Netflix release. Daniel Craig reprises his role as Benoit Blanc, continuing his investigation of unpredictable cases. Among familiar faces, Jeremy Renner stands out, shifting from his humorous connection as a hot sauce mogul in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery to a surprising new character. Renner is set to portray Dr. Nat Sharp in the upcoming installment, leading fans and critics to wonder about the narrative direction taken by Rian Johnson and what it means for the Knives Out world.
Jeremy Renner’s transformation from hot sauce joke to key character
In the previous Knives Out film, Glass Onion, Jeremy Renner’s presence was comedic and indirect, referenced through a fictional hot sauce brand called Renning Hot!, featuring a bottle with Renner’s face. Fans enjoyed the light-hearted nod, and Renner himself reacted playfully, embracing the joke during various public appearances. Reflecting on his involvement, Renner mentioned on Josh Horowitz’s podcast that he considered capitalizing on the gag by possibly producing a small batch of hot sauce as a holiday novelty.
Director Rian Johnson, who had wanted to collaborate with Renner, shared his relief when the actor found the hot sauce reference amusing instead of awkward. Johnson commented during an interview with Netflix,
“I was very relieved he thought the hot sauce thing was funny! He’s playing a proper part in this one, we’ll keep the sauce off-screen. Maybe we’ll sneak a few bottles onto the catering table.”
-Rian Johnson, Knives Out Director
This shift from inside joke to an official on-screen role elevates Renner’s presence in the franchise. With the confirmation that he will not reprise or reference the hot sauce mogul character, audiences are eager to see how Dr. Nat Sharp fits among the enigmatic figures occupying Wake Up Dead Man.
Clever satire behind the original hot sauce gag
The creation of Jeremy Renner’s fictional hot sauce for Glass Onion was a tongue-in-cheek jab at celebrity branding trends. Rian Johnson shaped this detail as commentary on public figures’ tendency to launch unusual business ventures—an idea inspired by Renner’s real-life forays into music and app development in 2019. The film used this moment to humorously spotlight the sometimes-absurd intersection of fame and entrepreneurial experimentation, with Renner serving as a prime example.
This playful reference resonated with viewers, while also adding depth to Johnson’s satirical approach to celebrity culture. Interestingly, this lighthearted in-joke paved the way for Renner’s full involvement in the next film, moving his connection from a background quip to a headlining role in Wake Up Dead Man. Despite the shift, little is known about Dr. Nat Sharp’s relevance or character arc in the story, leaving audiences speculating.
What’s next for Jeremy Renner and Knives Out?
While Marvel fans might have been amused at the prospect of Renner doubling as a hot sauce magnate and a doctor, the upcoming Knives Out film appears to separate his personas entirely. No indication has surfaced that the hot sauce mogul identity will follow Renner into this installment; instead, the narrative grants him a new, mysterious role as Dr. Nat Sharp. This significant change stirs up debate among franchise loyalists, sparking speculation on whether any traces or nods to his previous presence might surface in easter eggs or subtle set details.
At present, Netflix has not released an official premiere date for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. As anticipation builds for the next chapter in the franchise, viewers can revisit Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, currently streaming on Netflix, to catch all previous references, including Renner’s now-famous hot sauce gag. The evolving creative partnership between Rian Johnson, Daniel Craig, and Jeremy Renner gives enthusiasts plenty to discuss, as both the cast and the franchise look to blend satire, mystery, and star power in bold new ways.
The transformation of Jeremy Renner’s involvement—from a simple joke to a lead character—underscores the unpredictable and playful spirit of the Knives Out series. As new layers and tonal surprises await viewers, the debate over franchise continuity and canon only deepens, keeping eyes on Netflix and Rian Johnson for the next clue in this ongoing cinematic mystery.
