Jeremy Renner’s involvement in the Knives Out franchise recently took a playful turn with a meta reference in Glass Onion, the second film of Rian Johnson’s mystery series. The film features a humorous nod to a hot sauce called Renning Hot! which is linked to Renner, blending his real-life persona with the fictional world. This clever inclusion suggests that actor Jeremy Renner and his character Dr. Nat Sharp from the upcoming Knives Out-related film Wake Up Dead Man exist within the same universe.
Behind the Scenes of Meta-Casting at the Toronto International Film Festival
Discussing this meta connection during an interview at the Toronto International Film Festival, Renner admitted he was not deeply involved in the decision but acknowledged the discussion occurred.
“I wasn’t part of that discussion, but I know it was talked about it,”
Renner said.
“I don’t know what they said.”
The Marvel star added lightheartedly,
“It’s hot sauce! It’s really good. Check it out!”
While the actor’s presence is acknowledged through the spicy product, Renner says his character Dr. Nat Sharp remains unaware of the actor’s existence within the narrative world.
“He has no idea who he is,”
Renner explained, describing the character as “a sad doctor” who does not engage with movies and embodies “dad in crisis.”
Introducing the Characters and Setting of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is set in a devoutly religious small town where new priest Jud Duplenticy, played by Josh O’Connor, arrives to assist the fervent Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, portrayed by Josh Brolin. The town is filled with distinctive residents including the church lady Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close), groundskeeper Samson Holt (Thomas Haden Church), and lawyer Vera Draven (Kerry Washington), along with the town’s doctor, Dr. Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner).
Mila Kunis, playing the role of local police chief Geraldine Scott, called upon Daniel Craig’s detective Benoit Blanc to investigate a baffling murder in the community. Kunis highlighted the archetypal flavor of the story, describing the inhabitants as
“people that live in small towns where there are more churches than there are people.”
The Locked-Room Mystery That Challenges Benoit Blanc
Daniel Craig teased the film’s core mystery to Entertainment Weekly, noting,
“There’s a thing called a ‘locked-door mystery,’ which is the impossible crime, and that’s how the movie kind of starts.”
He described detective Blanc’s fascination with such riddles:
“For him, this is like catnip. The impossible crime is his biggest challenge.”
The film promises to deliver a classic whodunit twist within this tense, religious setting.
Premiere and Release Information for Wake Up Dead Man
Wake Up Dead Man premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Renner appeared alongside Rian Johnson and co-stars including Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, and Daryl McCormack. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on November 26 and will be available on Netflix starting December 12.
Significance of Meta-Casting and Franchise Expansion
Jeremy Renner’s meta-casting through the hot sauce joke not only adds a layer of humor but also builds a connective thread in the evolving Knives Out universe. As the franchise blends quirky character archetypes—from tech billionaires to religious townsfolk—this playful link adds depth to the world Rian Johnson continues to expand. The upcoming film promises both a fresh mystery and a continuation of Johnson’s knack for engaging, archetype-driven storytelling, suggesting the Knives Out series will maintain its unique charm and appeal to fans of intricate puzzles and character-rich narratives.
