The film series commenced in 2019 with Knives Out, which was met with critical acclaim, particularly for its screenplay, direction, and acting, from both audience and film critics. It grossed $311.4 million worldwide against a $40 million budget. After the first film's success, the streaming service Netflix bought the exclusive rights to two Knives Out sequels for over $400million. The second film Glass Onion was also released to a positive critical reception in 2022,[4] though its limited theatrical release led to a lower monetary performance.[3]
The third film, Wake Up Dead Man, began production in June 2024,[5] and is scheduled for release in November 2025.[6][7]
Before the release of Knives Out, Johnson said he would like to create sequels with Benoit Blanc investigating further mysteries, and that he already had an idea for a sequel.[14][15] In January 2020, Johnson confirmed that he was writing a sequel, intended to focus on Blanc investigating a new mystery. Craig was expected to reprise his role, and acknowledged interest in the project.[16] By February 2020, Lionsgate announced that a sequel had been officially green-lit for production.[17]
In March 2021, Netflix bought the rights to two Knives Out sequels for $450million and that filming would begin in June 2021, in Greece. Despite Lionsgate's prior announcement that they had approved a sequel, reports indicate that Johnson and Bergman retained the sequel rights, which they shopped to other distributors without the involvement of Lionsgate or MRC.[18][19] In April 2021, Curtis confirmed that the Thrombey family from the first film would not be returning for the sequel, while elaborating on what each family member has been up to since the end of the first installment.[20] The cast was rounded out in May and June 2021, with Dave Bautista, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, Madelyn Cline and Jessica Henwick added in undisclosed roles.[21][22][23][24][25][26][27]
Principal photography officially commenced on June 28, 2021 in Greece and concluded that September.[28] In June 2022, the official title was revealed to be Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. The film was released on December 23, 2022, with Netflix considering a 45-day theatrical exclusive debut prior to its streaming release.[29][30]
In March 2021, it was reported that Netflix had agreed to pay $450million for the rights to two sequels to be written and directed by Johnson, with Craig reprising his role as detective Benoit Blanc.[18][19] In June 2022, Johnson revealed that "Knives Out 3" was a working title with his intent being that each film has a distinct title, citing the works of Agatha Christie as his inspiration for the films and the individual titles.[29]
By January 2023, Johnson confirmed that he had started writing the script for the third film, stating that it will be tonally and thematically different from the previous installments.[31] The filmmaker later stated that though he had approved the subtitle of A Knives Out Mystery for the previous installment, he would like to rename the series and add A Benoit Blanc Mystery as subtitles to future installments.[32]
In October 2023, following the adherence to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike and the resolution thereof, Johnson announced that he had started working on the script for the third film. The filmmaker stated that he has the premise planned, and could begin writing again.[33] In May 2024, the film's official title was announced as Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery with the release of an official teaser trailer narrated by Daniel Craig in character as Benoit Blanc.[6] Principal photography was initially scheduled to commence in fall 2024, in London;[34][35][36] though in June of the same year, Johnson announced that filming had commenced.[5][37] The film is slated for release in December 2025.
Future
In September 2022, Craig and Johnson both separately stated that they will continue making additional films in the series, so long as they are both involved together.[38] In January 2023, Johnson stated that a suggestion from fans to create a Benoit Blanc mystery film with The Muppets as the supporting cast had inspired him. The writer/director said that he seriously considered this as an option, but ultimately decided that it would be impossible to properly balance both intellectual properties.[39] That same month, the filmmaker acknowledged the realization for a possible Knives OutChristmas special.[40]
Recurring cast and characters
List indicators
This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in two or more releases in the franchise.
An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
A indicates an appearance through archival footage or audio.
C indicates a cameo role.
E indicates an appearance not included in the theatrical cut.
M indicates an appearance in onscreen movie footage.
O indicates an older version of the character.
P indicates an appearance in onscreen photographs.
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