The star-studded cast of Wake Up Dead Man, the upcoming film in the Knives Out franchise, has offered fresh insight into its making, with Josh O’Connor sharing his memorable experience filming alongside Daniel Craig. O’Connor, discussing his role as Benoit Blanc’s new companion, highlights the unique approach Daniel Craig brought to the set and how it influenced the ensemble, as the mystery unravels with high anticipation for its theatrical release.
Filming with Daniel Craig: Lessons Learned On Set
Josh O’Connor, best known for his acclaimed performances across stage and screen, reflected on the experience of working with Daniel Craig for the highly anticipated Josh O’Connor Knives Out sequel. Taking on the role of Jud Duplenticy, O’Connor described collaborating with Craig as “a dream come true.” He emphasized how he truly learned from Craig’s “humble and charismatic” method, observing the actor’s ability to balance lightheartedness and focused immersion in each scene.
“He’s such a gentleman,” O’Connor shared in an interview, noting the evolving partnership between himself, Daniel Craig, and the ensemble. As both audience members and actors, he explained that every moment on set was filled with both comedy and emotional resonance. O’Connor recounted,
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One moment, you’re doing a sort of double act with Daniel and real comedy set-pieces, and then in the next, there’s a real opening of your heart,
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said Josh O’Connor, Actor. This bond on-screen carried over from the script, thanks to both the writing and the collaborative freedom on set.
Behind the Scenes: Chemistry and Collaboration
O’Connor observed Daniel Craig’s approach of alternating between playful moments and intense preparation, describing how the James Bond star’s professionalism inspired the entire cast. He detailed that often, Craig would deeply focus ahead of important scenes, getting into the character’s mindset to deliver nuanced performances. O’Connor further commented,
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The way he operated at work was really inspiring to me. In terms of our double act, it was all there on the page, but [writer-director] Rian [Johnson] definitely allowed us to play around with things. There’s this one particular moment, which I won’t divulge, that we didn’t think would ever make the movie but it did, so…
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said Josh O’Connor, Actor.
Director Rian Johnson is recognized for providing actors with the freedom to experiment, while ensuring the integrity of the intricate mystery. Johnson explained his approach to working with a diverse and talented group, saying,
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To a certain extent, these movies are kind of mouse traps. So it’s not like you can just go off and riff. But I also think that if you get a group of actors like this together, it would be stupid to not let them play,
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said Rian Johnson, Writer-Director. Johnson encourages active participation and feedback from the entire cast ahead of shooting, stating,
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I love to get together with the actors before we start shooting, and go through the scenes. ‘Are any of these lines bumping?’ If any actor feels like something doesn’t feel right, or there’s a better way of saying it, I’m always encouraging and open to that.
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said Rian Johnson, Writer-Director.
A New Mystery Unfolds: Characters and Plot Details
Wake Up Dead Man brings back detective Benoit Blanc, played again by Daniel Craig, to investigate another complex crime filled with suspense, wit, and twists. This time, Josh O’Connor’s Jud Duplenticy, a boxer who has become a priest, finds himself transferred to a parish in upstate New York, where tensions quickly rise. The congregation, led by the imposing Monsignor Wicks (portrayed by Josh Brolin), creates an immediate challenge for Jud, and the colorful townspeople add layers to the case.
The ensemble features Glenn Close as Martha, Brolin’s loyal lieutenant, Andrew Scott as sardonic author Lee, Kerry Washington as the precise attorney Vera, Daryl McCormack as social media influencer Cy, Jeremy Renner as the recently separated doctor Nat, and Simone (credited as herself) as the once-renowned cellist dealing with disability. The turning point comes when Monsignor Wicks is murdered on stage during a sermon, and Craig’s Benoit Blanc must parse motives and secrets to identify the culprit among a cast of possible suspects.
Building an Ensemble: Casting and Camaraderie
Much of the Knives Out franchise’s appeal lies in its carefully selected casts. Andrew Scott, who plays reclusive homeowner Ross, praised Rian Johnson’s gift with assembling the right ensemble for a story.
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Rian’s very, very good at casting. I think that’s really important with a film like this. So everybody was well suited to their characters,
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said Andrew Scott, Actor.
Scott noted the unique dynamic on set, where the actors spent extensive time together, fostering natural chemistry and ease in their performances, even in the absence of formal rehearsals. He reflected,
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It’s just the power of the imagination; we didn’t have any rehearsal time beforehand. If it’s well-cast and the script is good, that ease and chemistry just happens. [Rian] creates an atmosphere where you’re all together a lot of the time; there’s no retreat to our trailers and all that kind of jazz. We just hung out, all the time for months. It’s lucky that we’re here, still getting on with each other now that we know a lot of each other’s deep, dark secrets.
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said Andrew Scott, Actor.
Anticipation and Release Details
Josh O’Connor Knives Out sequel, Wake Up Dead Man, has created excitement among fans of whodunit mysteries and moviegoers eager for another twist-laden adventure. The film is set to debut in cinemas on November 26 before reaching a wider audience via Netflix on December 12. With returning and new faces, including standout performances from the likes of Jeremy Renner and Glenn Close, the stakes are set high for a fresh investigation led by Benoit Blanc.
As audiences look forward to uncovering the secrets surrounding Jud Duplenticy, Monsignor Wicks, and the rest of the vibrant ensemble, Wake Up Dead Man is poised to deliver another engaging entry to the series. Its focus on collaboration and chemistry, both on and off screen, promises another compelling mystery with the signature blend of clever characterization and intricate plotting that the Knives Out franchise is known for.
