Just days after the release of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery on Netflix, director Rian Johnson is already looking ahead to the next chapter in his acclaimed whodunit franchise.
The third installment, starring Daniel Craig as the inimitable Southern detective Benoit Blanc, hit the streaming platform on December 12, 2025, following a limited theatrical run starting November 26 and a world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
In a recent interview, Johnson revealed that he’s begun entertaining early conceptual ideas for a potential fourth film. “I have basic, elemental, conceptual ideas,” he shared, describing them as vague “kernels” — thoughts like, “Okay, it’d be interesting if it were this kind of thing.”
However, he stressed that nothing is concrete yet: no defined theme, no setting, and no central motive. Johnson prefers to keep these notions hazy until he’s ready to sit down and write, allowing the story to evolve organically.
Despite the excitement surrounding a possible Knives Out 4, Johnson is in no rush. He plans to step away from the series temporarily to direct at least one original, non-franchise project first. This deliberate pause stems from his philosophy that each *Knives Out* entry should feel like a “product of its time.”
The films aren’t designed to be timeless classics but rather reflections of contemporary moods and shared cultural experiences — without directly commenting on specific news, politics, or events. “You can’t rush that,” Johnson explained, noting that the creative process requires time to absorb and respond to the moment.
The Knives Out franchise has become one of modern cinema’s most successful mystery series. It kicked off with the 2019 original, a theatrical hit written and directed by Johnson that grossed over $300 million worldwide and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Netflix then acquired the rights to two sequels in a landmark $469 million deal in 2021.
The second film, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, arrived in 2022 with a star-studded ensemble including Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, and Kate Hudson. Wake Up Dead Man continues the tradition of fresh casts and settings, featuring new additions like Josh O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Andrew Scott, and Glenn Close alongside Craig’s returning Blanc.
Johnson’s approach has kept the series feeling innovative, with each film reinventing the Agatha Christie-inspired formula in bold new ways — from a dysfunctional family estate in the first to a tech billionaire’s private island in the second, and now a more introspective mystery in the third.
Fans can rest assured that Benoit Blanc will return eventually, complete with his signature drawl and sharp intellect. But for now, even Johnson admits the timeline remains uncertain: “Benoit Blanc will be back,” he’s promised in the past, though the “when” and “how” are still taking shape in those early, smoldering ideas.
As Wake Up Dead Man climbs Netflix’s Top 10 charts just a week into its streaming run, the future of the franchise looks brighter than ever — even if Johnson is wisely giving himself room to breathe before pulling out the knives again.
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Author: Slava Vasipenok
Founder and CEO of QUASA (quasa.io) - Daily insights on Web3, AI, Crypto, and Freelance. Stay updated on finance, technology trends, and creator tools - with sources and real value.
Innovative entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in IT, fintech, and blockchain. Specializes in decentralized solutions for freelancing, helping to overcome the barriers of traditional finance, especially in developing regions.
