The ink is barely dry on Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, and Rian Johnson is already thinking about what’s next for Benoit Blanc. In a recent conversation with Entertainment Weekly, the filmmaker revealed he has some early thoughts brewing for a potential fourth installment in his beloved detective franchise.
Johnson described his current stage as having some basic, elemental, conceptual ideas, comparing them to kernels that could eventually grow into something more substantial. But fans hoping for concrete details will need to exercise patience, the director was quick to clarify that these are merely vague notions at this point, with no theme, location, or solid plot points locked in yet.
Taking a creative detour first
Before diving back into the world of whodunits, Johnson plans to redirect his energy toward at least one original film project. After helming three Knives Out movies consecutively, the break makes sense creatively. It’s a move that should allow him to recharge and approach the franchise with fresh eyes when the time comes.
The third entry in the series just dropped on Netflix on December 12, featuring Daniel Craig’s charming Southern detective investigating a murder within a church congregation. The film brings together an impressive ensemble including Josh O’Connor, Josh Brolin, Glenn Close, and Mila Kunis, proving once again that Johnson knows how to assemble a cast that keeps audiences guessing.
Staying in tune with the times
What makes Johnson’s approach to these mysteries particularly interesting is his philosophy about timing and relevance. The director explained that part of making these movies involves reacting to the present moment, capturing what we’re all feeling in the world at that moment. This approach has kept each film feeling distinct, the original Knives Out tackled family dynamics and inheritance drama, while Glass Onion skewered tech billionaire culture and pandemic-era celebrity behavior.
The franchise has become a cultural phenomenon since its 2019 debut, with Netflix famously shelling out a reported $469 million for two sequels. That massive investment has paid off with both critical acclaim and audience enthusiasm, making a fourth film feel less like a question of “if” and more about “when.”
For now, fans can enjoy Wake Up Dead Man while Johnson keeps those conceptual kernels tucked away, waiting for the right moment to let them bloom into another twisted tale of murder and mayhem.
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