The Knives Out franchise is back, and this time, Benoit Blanc is facing what may be his most dangerous case yet. Daniel Craig will reprise his role as the sharp-witted detective in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the third installment of Rian Johnson’s critically acclaimed whodunnit series.
A Growing Legacy of Mystery and Intrigue
The first Knives Out film, released in 2019, became a surprise hit, featuring an ensemble cast that included Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Ana de Armas. With its clever storytelling and modern take on the classic murder mystery, the film earned Rian Johnson an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
After the film’s success, Netflix struck a massive $469 million deal with Johnson and his producing partner Ram Bergman for two sequels, giving the director full creative control and ensuring that Daniel Craig would star in both. The first sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, arrived in 2022, taking inspiration from Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile and Evil Under the Sun.
A New Case, A New Cast
Wake Up Dead Man continues the tradition of assembling a powerhouse cast. This time, Benoit Blanc will be surrounded by an impressive lineup, including Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Jeremy Renner (in his first film since his snowplow accident), Kerry Washington, Mila Kunis, Josh O’Connor, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, and Daryl McCormack.
While plot details remain tightly under wraps, Netflix has teased that Blanc will be tackling a fresh murder case in an undisclosed setting, filled with a new group of eccentric suspects. In a teaser video, Craig’s voiceover hints at the stakes: "In the beginning, the knives came out. Then behold, the glass was shattered. But my most dangerous case yet is about to be revealed."
Production and Release Timeline
Filming for Wake Up Dead Man officially began on June 10, 2024, as confirmed by Rian Johnson on social media. He shared a behind-the-scenes photo of Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc, notably sporting longer hair. "Aaaaand we’re off! Today is day 1 of shooting on the next Benoit Blanc mystery 'Wake Up Dead Man' – see you on the other side," Johnson tweeted.
Though an exact release date has not been announced, Wake Up Dead Man is set to premiere globally on Netflix in Fall 2025. With a fresh cast, a mysterious new case, and Johnson’s signature storytelling, fans can expect another thrilling entry in the Knives Out universe.
