Rian Johnson Pledges to Helm Every Knives Out Film

Rian Johnson has put to rest any talk of someone else taking charge of the Knives Out franchise. The filmmaker has said he doesn’t view the series as just another intellectual property to be passed around. For Johnson, each new chapter is something he’s personally invested in creating. He’s adamant that if he ever loses that drive, the series will simply come to a halt rather than continue without him.

Sticking to His Guns

Since the first film landed in 2019, Johnson has been the creative force behind the whodunnit series. The original featured Daniel Craig and Ana de Armas, quickly becoming a hit with punters. Glass Onion followed in 2022, and now Wake Up Dead Man is making waves, with Daniel Craig once again stepping into the shoes of Benoit Blanc. The latest entry is currently screening in cinemas and will be available on Netflix from 12 December.

Wake Up Dead Man has already scored a whopping 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, with early reviews calling it Johnson’s boldest and most ambitious take on the Benoit Blanc saga. Despite Johnson’s push for a wider release, the film is only getting a two-week run in cinemas before heading to streaming.

Looking Ahead

Johnson has hinted he’s not ready to hang up his director’s hat just yet. He’s said that working on the latest film has left him feeling energised, and he and Daniel Craig are already tossing around ideas for what could come next. Johnson reckons there’s no reason to stop as long as the creative spark is still there.

For now, Wake Up Dead Man is out in cinemas, and fans can catch it on Netflix soon. If you’re keen to add more to your watchlist, there’s no shortage of top picks among the platform’s best films.