Rian Johnson Eyes Meryl Streep for Next Knives Out Film
Director Rian Johnson shares his top pick for a future Knives Out cast member, highlighting Meryl Streep’s knack for murder mysteries and her perfect fit for the franchise.
With Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery yet to hit Netflix, Rian Johnson is already mulling over who he’d love to see tangled up in Benoit Blanc’s next case. The upcoming instalment is already packed with big names—Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Thomas Haden Church, and Josh Brolin are all on board. But if Johnson gets his way, there’s one legendary performer he’s especially keen to add to the line-up: Meryl Streep.
Dream Casting for a Whodunit
Chatting about what’s next for the Knives Out series, Johnson didn’t hold back about his dream casting.
“There are so many great actors I’d like to work with. But, yes, if you’re reading this, Meryl Streep, I feel like you’d slot into a murder mystery very well.”
He’s not wrong—Streep’s already shown she can handle a whodunit, having appeared in three seasons of Only Murders in the Building. With that under her belt, it’s not hard to picture her going head-to-head with Daniel Craig’s southern sleuth. And let’s be honest, if anyone can pull off just about anything, it’s Meryl Streep.
Streep’s Comedic Edge
Johnson doubled down on his pick, telling another outlet,
“I feel like Meryl Streep would kill it. She was born to be in one of these movies; she’s hilarious.”
Andrew Scott, who stars in Wake Up Dead Man, has also sung Streep’s praises, as well as the whole Only Murders in the Building crew. He reckons the show and the new film both bring their own spin to the genre. In his words,
“Only Murders in the Building is a great example, in that you’ve got the two best comedians in the world, and Selena Gomez and Meryl Streep; all these incredible comedic people. I suppose that juxtaposition of those two things is what people are into.”
What’s Next for Fans
If you’re keen to see which murder mystery grabs you most, Only Murders in the Building is streaming now, and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is showing in cinemas before its Netflix release on 12 December. There’s plenty more on the horizon for film fans, with a stack of new releases coming soon.