Rian Johnson remains eager to continue creating films in his popular crime mystery series featuring detective Benoit Blanc, despite the completion of his profitable two-movie contract with Netflix. The filmmaker expressed his motivation to keep developing the franchise beyond the recently released third installment, Wake Up Dead Man, highlighting his enthusiasm for the project and its characters.
Following the original Knives Out success, Netflix acquired rights to produce two sequels in a $450 million deal announced in 2021. This agreement culminated with the premiere of Wake Up Dead Man, which continues the story of Daniel Craig’s witty and introspective detective.
Johnson’s Perspective on Continuing the Franchise
At the BFI London Film Festival, Johnson shared his thoughts on the creative process behind the series, emphasizing his ongoing excitement.
“I don’t feel burnt out doing these at all. If anything I feel energized after doing this one,”
he said during the festival. He further explained,
“So as long as audiences want to keep seeing it, and Daniel and I are still having fun making them and still feel like we can come up with stuff that feels not just fresh, but a fresh challenge for us, I think that’ll translate to a new experience for the audience.”
Johnson also expressed a lifelong commitment to the series, stating,
“For now, I’d be thrilled to keep making these for the rest of my life.”
Thematic Evolution and Tone of ‘Wake Up Dead Man’
The newest addition to the series, Wake Up Dead Man, explores darker and more gothic themes than prior installments, focusing on a mysterious death involving Josh Brolin’s firebrand priest character and Cailee Spaeny’s clergyman, who becomes the prime suspect. Despite its somber setting, Johnson noted that the film incorporates humor effectively.
He remarked,
“In a way it a much more ground and sombre movie. But I still think it’s very funny, and maybe even a little more so than the others, because you’re not supposed to fart in church. Because of the seriousness of it, it makes the funny stuff a little more contrast.”
London Film Festival Premiere and Star-Studded Cast
Wake Up Dead Man debuted on Wednesday night as the opening film of the 2025 London Film Festival at the Royal Festival Hall. Johnson introduced the movie in the presence of an acclaimed cast including Daniel Craig, Daryl McCormack, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Cailee Spaeny, Kerry Washington, and Andrew Scott, underscoring the film’s high profile and widespread anticipation in the U.K. and beyond.
Ongoing Impact and Future Prospects for the Franchise
The continued enthusiasm from both creator and audience suggests the Knives Out series will remain a significant part of Rian Johnson’s career and Netflix’s lineup. With Daniel Craig reprising the clever detective role and Johnson’s willingness to embrace new creative challenges, the franchise is poised to offer fresh, engaging mysteries that keep fans invested in Benoit Blanc’s investigations for years to come.
