Washington, Dec 15 (UNI) Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man, the third installment of the Daniel Craig-led ‘Knives Out’ murder mystery franchise, premiered on Netflix on December 12.
While fans are enjoying the latest film, Johnson has already started mulling over ideas for the next chapter, according to Variety.
“I have some basic, elemental, conceptual ideas. Like, ‘Okay, it’d be interesting if it were this kind of thing’ kernels,” Johnson revealed.
The third film followed a world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and a limited theatrical release on November 26 before arriving on Netflix.
Johnson clarified that he does not yet have concrete plans, themes, or locations for the next project. “It’s really pretty vague, and I feel like it’s good to kinda keep it vague until I’m ready to actually sit down and write it,” he added.
The director also shared his intention to helm at least one original film before returning to the Knives Out series. He explained that the franchise is meant to reflect the present moment rather than being entirely timeless.
“Part of making these movies, for me, is reacting to the present moment, not necessarily with current events or politics or culture specifically, but in terms of what we’re all feeling in the world at that moment,” Johnson said. “I like that these movies are not timeless, per se, and that they all have one foot in something that is common to all of us in our present moment. So, yeah, I don’t know. I have a vague notion, but I’m trying to keep it vague until it’s time to actually do it.”
Johnson launched the Knives Out series in 2019 with the theatrical release of the first film by Lionsgate. Netflix later acquired the rights to two sequels, releasing the second installment, Glass Onion, in 2022.
Rian Johnson teases ideas for next ‘Knives Out’ film
