Rian Johnson has provided an update on the future of the Knives Out series, confirming that there are currently no plans to develop Knives Out 4. This comes just before the release of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the latest sequel in the popular murder mystery franchise led by Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc. Since its 2019 debut, the Knives Out franchise has grown into one of modern cinema’s standout original sagas.
Current Status of the Knives Out Series
The original Knives Out film, released in 2019 by Lionsgate, garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, earning over $310 million globally and securing an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Due to this success, Netflix acquired rights to produce two sequels: Glass Onion, which premiered in 2022, and the upcoming Wake Up Dead Man, slated for release later this year.
At the BFI London Film Festival, Johnson shared his honest thoughts about the next chapter, admitting that the fourth film is not in active development and he has no concept for it at this time. He prefers to start creative processes from a fresh perspective rather than rely on previous ideas.
I got nothing. If you have anything, I’ll take it. I think it’s good to totally empty the well and then start from scratch on the next one.
— Rian Johnson, Director
Johnson also expressed his commitment to quality and originality. He highlighted the importance of mutual enthusiasm between himself and Daniel Craig, along with audience interest, as key factors in deciding whether the franchise will continue.
As long as Daniel and I have fun doing it and he wants to do them, as long as audiences like them, and also as long as we can keep challenging ourselves and coming up with something that’s genuinely new. We’re on the same page that the moment, it feels like we’re just turning the crank on another one.
— Rian Johnson, Director
Wake Up Dead Man: A New Chapter in the Franchise
The upcoming film unites Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc with an impressive ensemble cast including Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner, Cailee Spaeny, Andrew Scott, Josh O’Connor, Thomas Haden Church, and Daryl McCormack. The story takes place in an upstate New York parish where Blanc investigates the mysterious death of a priest under extraordinary circumstances.
Described as potentially the darkest case Benoit Blanc has faced, the film explores themes of faith, suspicion, and hidden motives within a close-knit congregation. Blanc teams up with a conflicted young priest to uncover the truth behind the unusual incident during Mass, revealing that what might appear as a miracle could actually hide something far more sinister.
Impact and Future of the Knives Out Franchise
The Knives Out series remains a significant presence in original storytelling for modern cinema, recognized for its sharp writing, strong performances, and inventive mysteries. The original film holds a 97% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while Glass Onion attracted over 200 million viewing hours on Netflix and earned a 91% critics’ score. Wake Up Dead Man has started strong with a perfect 100% Tomatometer rating and currently sits at 92% based on 61 reviews.
Wake Up Dead Man is scheduled for release in select theaters on November 26, followed by a wide launch on Netflix on December 12. Its release promises to further cement the franchise’s reputation for combining engaging whodunits with complex characters and emotional depth.
Although Rian Johnson does not have ideas for a fourth installment yet, the franchise’s future remains open depending on creative inspiration, audience reception, and the willingness of those involved to continue exploring new mysteries with Benoit Blanc.
