Rian Johnson Vows to Stay Sole Director of Knives Out Series

Rian Johnson has made it clear that he’s not handing over the reins of the Knives Out franchise to anyone else. In a recent interview, Johnson explained that he doesn’t view the series as just another intellectual property to be passed around. For him, every film in the saga is a project he’s personally invested in. He stated, “Each Knives Out film is something I want to make. If that stops being the case, we won’t do another one.”

Building a Modern Mystery Franchise

The first Knives Out movie debuted in 2019, featuring Daniel Craig and Ana de Armas in a fresh take on the classic whodunit. The film’s success led to a sequel, Glass Onion, which arrived in 2022. This year, the story continues with Wake Up Dead Man, which is currently showing in theaters and will be available on Netflix starting December 12. Daniel Craig reprises his role as the sharp-witted detective Benoit Blanc in all three films.

Critical Acclaim and Theatrical Release

Wake Up Dead Man has already made waves with critics, earning an impressive 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Early reviews are calling it Johnson’s most ambitious and best work in the Benoit Blanc series so far. Despite the buzz, the movie is only getting a limited two-week run in theaters. Johnson has been vocal about wanting a wider theatrical release, pushing for the film to be shown in as many theaters and for as long as possible.

Looking Ahead to Future Installments

Johnson has hinted that he’s open to making more films in the series, as long as the creative spark remains. He recently shared that working on the latest movie left him feeling energized, and he and Daniel Craig are already tossing around ideas for what could come next. “I don’t know why I would stop doing it if we could keep making them,” Johnson said earlier this month.

Wake Up Dead Man is currently playing in theaters. For those looking to expand their watchlist, there’s a guide to the best movies available on Netflix.