Rian Johnson has opened up about what lies ahead for the Knives Out franchise, which currently includes two successful films with a third scheduled for release later this year. The filmmaker discussed his approach to continuing the series and whether more sequels might be on the horizon, emphasizing his evolving creative process.
Creative Risks Drive the Franchise Forward
Reflecting on his work so far, Johnson acknowledged that each film has involved taking risks to avoid repeating formulaic patterns. Speaking to Rolling Stone, he expressed a sense of excitement about the challenges each new installment presents and his commitment to innovation.
“I feel great! Because I have genuinely taken a swing each time that I didn’t think would work,”
he said.
“Ultimately, that’s the thing you’re trying to avoid. The second you feel like you know how to do this, that leads nowhere good. So I feel fantastic. And with the movies, we can keep doing that. I don’t have something in my head right now. You kind of burn the ship into the sea each time and ask yourself, ‘How will I make anything ever again?’ But I would keep doing them as long as I can.”
—Rian Johnson, filmmaker
The Third Film’s Shift to a More Grounded, Gothic Tone
Johnson revealed that the upcoming movie, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, will explore a much darker and more grounded atmosphere compared to the second installment. He explained that it aligns more closely with the tone of the first Knives Out film and pays homage to the roots of the mystery genre.
“It’s much more a Gothic, much more grounded tone. It’s more similar to the first one in that way. It kind of gets back to the real origins of the genre, which, predating [Agatha] Christie, go back to [Edgar Allan] Poe,”
Johnson said.
The Future of the Knives Out Franchise
With the third film taking a fresh tonal direction and Johnson’s enthusiasm for continuing the stories, it is likely that the Knives Out universe will expand further. His dedication to reinventing the genre with each project suggests a dynamic future for fans. As the new film arrives, audiences can anticipate a blend of classic mystery elements with modern storytelling sensibilities under Johnson’s guidance.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Rian Johnson direct Star Wars episode 8?
A. After his third film, “Looper,” came out, Rian Johnson had a meeting with Kathleen Kennedy, the new president of Lucasfilm at the time. At a follow-up meeting, Johnson was offered the chance to direct Episode VIII of the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
