Rian Johnson's Non-Negotiable Condition For Future Knives Out Sequels

Rian Johnson Sets Non-Negotiable Condition For Future Knives Out Sequels By  Adam Bentz Published 7 minutes ago Adam Bentz is a senior news writer at ScreenRant. He studied creative writing and English with a concentration in screenwriting at Southern New Hampshire University and interned as a writer/journalist for The Borgen Project, an influential organization that fights global poverty. Adam also fancies himself an amateur film reviewer on his website. One of his proudest achievements is editing a Leonardo DiCaprio freakout compilation that has over 150K views on YouTube. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Rian Johnson reveals a non-negotiable condition for future Knives Out sequels. Johnson has written and directed three Knives Out movies – the original 2019 film, Netflix's Glass Onion (2022), and the upcoming Wake Up Dead Man, which releases in select theaters on November 26 before streaming on Netflix on December 12.

In an interview with Variety, Rian Johnson declared that no one else will ever write or direct a Knives Out movie. "I don't see it as IP," he says. "Each Knives Out film is something I want to make. If that stops being the case, we won't do another one."

Rian Johnson's protective mindset goes right down to the franchise's core, as the creator has been explicit that he doesn't want any returning characters except Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), shutting down the idea of an Avengers-style cast reunion:

I love the fact that each one of these is entirely its own case, entirely its own mystery. I love actors, I want to keep working with new actors, too. At this point, I like the idea of having a new group of folks each time.

Following the success of the first Knives Out film in 2019, Rian Johnson and his producing partner Ram Bergman signed a two-picture sequel deal with Netflix worth a reported $450 million. With Glass Onion and Wake Up Dead Man, that deal has now run its course, and though the future is uncertain, "the franchise is still ours," Bergman says.

And although Wake Up Dead Man is the last movie under that agreement, Rian Johnson says the path ahead for more Benoit Blanc mysteries is still open, and completely in their hands. "We both feel energized coming out of this one," Johnson says. "Whenever I get the next idea, we'll go from there."

Daniel Craig and Josh O'Connor in a church in Wake Up Dead Man

Wake Up Dead Man follows master sleuth Benoit Blanc as he is drawn into a new investigation that centers on a magnetic priest, Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), and his fiercely loyal flock. After a suspicious death rattles the community, Blanc must untangle a maze of hidden truths and underlying conflicts to get to the bottom of what really happened.

The ensemble cast also includes Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church.

Premiered at TIFF in September 2025, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery received rave reviews for offering Benoit Blanc another worthy mystery, enriched by a sincere and thoughtful exploration of faith and a standout performance from Josh O'Connor, resulting in yet another Knives Out whodunit that clicks together beautifully.

6/10

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

Like Follow Followed PG-13 Comedy Drama Mystery Release Date November 26, 2025 Runtime 140 minutes Director Rian Johnson Writers Rian Johnson Producers Ram Bergman, Rian Johnson 9 Images Wake Up Dead Man imageDaniel Craig looking inquisitive as Benoit Blanc in Wake Up Dead Man A Knives Out MysteryDaniel Craig walking in a church as Benoit Blanc as light shines on him through a window in Wake Up Dead Man A Knives Out MysteryJosh O'Connor in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out MysteryGlenn Close screams as Martha Delacroix in Wake Up Dead ManJeremy Renner as Dr. Hart in Wake Up Dead ManAndrew Scott signs books in Wake Up Dead ManDaryl McCormack as Cyd in Wake Up Dead ManDaniel Craig Leaning Up Against a Tree in a Cemetery in Knives Out Wake Up Dead ManClose

Cast

See All

• Daniel Craig Benoit Blanc
• Josh O'Connor Rev. Jud Duplenticy

Franchise(s) Knives Out Genres Comedy, Drama, Mystery Powered by Expand Collapse

• Movies
• Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

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