Wake Up Dead Man Explained
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, or simply Wake Up Dead Man, is an upcoming American mystery film, written and directed by Rian Johnson. It is a standalone sequel to (2022), and the third installment overall in the Knives Out film series; and stars Daniel Craig, who reprises his role as master detective Benoit Blanc.[1] [2] The ensemble cast also includes Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is scheduled to be released in 2025 on Netflix.
Cast
Production
Development
Before the release of Knives Out (2019), Rian Johnson said he would like to create sequels with Detective Benoit Blanc investigating further mysteries, and already had an idea for a new film.[3] On March 31, 2021, it was reported that Netflix bought the rights to two Knives Out sequels for over $400million.[4]
Writing
In June 2022, Johnson revealed that Knives Out 3 was a working title with his intent being that each film has a distinct title, citing the works of Agatha Christie as his inspiration for the films and the individual titles.[5] In November 2022, Johnson said that he was preparing to work on writing the third film.[6] By January 2023, Johnson confirmed that he had started writing the script for the third film, stating that it will be tonally and thematically different from the previous installments.[7] Johnson later stated that though he had approved the subtitle of A Knives Out Mystery for the previous installment, he would like to rename the series and add A Benoit Blanc Mystery as subtitles to future installments.[8]
In October 2023, following the resolution of the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, Johnson announced that he had started working on the script for the third movie. The filmmaker stated that he has the premise planned, and can begin writing again.[9]
Casting
Daniel Craig was expected to reprise his role early in development; he acknowledged interest in returning early on during the project's development.[10] Craig was paid $100 million for his involvement in the two Knives Out sequels.[11] In May 2024, Josh O'Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis, and Daryl McCormack joined the main cast.[12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] The following month, Josh Brolin and Thomas Haden Church joined the cast.[19] [20]
Filming
As with previous two films, Steve Yedlin and Nathan Johnson respectively return as cinematographer and composer.[21] [22] Principal photography began on June 10, 2024, in London.[23] [24] [25] On June 19, 2024, Close revealed that she was "really hit hard" with both COVID-19 and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which was also revealed to have resulted in her being able to only participate in two days of filming by this point in time.[26] [27] Filming wrapped on August 17.[28]
Release
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is expected to be released in 2025 on Netflix.[29]
Future
In September 2022, Johnson confirmed his intention to make more films in the series.[30] Later that month Craig and Johnson separately said that they would continue making further films, so long as they were both involved together.[31]
Notes and References
- Web site: Jr . Mike Fleming . March 31, 2021 . Netflix Near $400M+ Deal For 'Knives Out' 2 & 3; Daniel Craig & Director Rian Johnson Reprising . March 22, 2023 . Deadline . en-US . May 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210512172112/https://deadline.com/2021/03/knives-out-two-sequels-netflix-400-million-plus-deal-daniel-craig-rian-johnson-ram-bergman-1234724575/ . live .
- Web site: Film and TV Projects Going Into Production - Knives Out 3. . April 2, 2021. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210402045050/https://www.varietyinsight.com/production_restart_full_view.php?track_id=189665 . April 2, 2021.
- Web site: Knives Out: Director Rian Johnson Interview. youtube.com. November 22, 2019 . June 6, 2021. January 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210127011330/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjzC--yFrvI. live.
- Web site: Lang. Brent. Donnelly. Matt. March 31, 2021. Netflix Buys 'Knives Out' Sequels for $450 Million. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210331211454/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/netflix-buys-knives-out-sequels-450-million-1234941995/. March 31, 2021. March 31, 2021. Variety.
- Web site: Rian Johnson Unveils Title Of 'Knives Out' Sequel. Deadline. D'Alessandro, Anthony. June 13, 2022. June 13, 2022. June 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220613164150/https://deadline.com/2022/06/knives-out-sequel-title-glass-onion-1235044240/. live.
- Web site: Wise . Damon . November 23, 2022 . 'Glass Onion': Rian Johnson, Daniel Craig, Janelle Monáe & Edward Norton Reveal The Secrets Of The 'Knives Out' Franchise & Tease Part 3 . Deadline . en-US . November 26, 2022 . December 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221212125212/https://deadline.com/2022/11/glass-onion-a-knives-out-mystery-daniel-craig-janelle-monae-edward-norton-interview-1235178514/ . live .
- Web site: Rian Johnson Talks Agatha Christie Inspiration, 'Knives Out 3′ Plans and Screenwriting Success. Variety. Laffly, Tomris. January 9, 2023. January 15, 2023. June 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230609034226/https://variety.com/2023/film/directors/rian-johnson-knives-out-agatha-christie-1235478945/. live.
- Web site: Rian Johnson Wants To Make A Key Change To The Knives Out Franchise After Glass Onion. CinemaBlend. Libbey, Dirk. January 23, 2023. February 12, 2023. February 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230206055744/https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/rian-johnson-wants-to-make-a-key-change-to-the-knives-out-franchise-after-glass-onion. live.
- Web site: 'Fair Play' on T-Street: How 'The Date Movie From Hell' Was Born - Digital Cover. The Wrap. Taylor, Drew. October 13, 2023. October 21, 2023. October 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231020012210/https://www.thewrap.com/fair-play-netflix-t-street-rian-johnson-ram-bergman-chloe-domont-interview/. live.
- Web site: Sinha-Roy. Piya. Keegan. Rebecca. January 5, 2020. 'Knives Out' Sequel in the Works, Story to Center on Daniel Craig's Detective Character. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200106041343/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/knives-sequel-works-centered-daniel-craigs-detective-character-1266533. January 6, 2020. January 6, 2020. The Hollywood Reporter.
- Web site: Donnelly . Matt . August 18, 2021 . From Daniel Craig to Dwayne Johnson, Inside the Biggest Movie Stars' Salaries . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210818172418/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/biggest-movie-star-salaries-daniel-craig-dwayne-johnson-1235043305/ . August 18, 2021 . October 16, 2023 . Variety.
- Web site: Kroll . Justin . Josh O'Connor And Cailee Spaeny Join Daniel Craig In Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery . . May 28, 2024 . May 27, 2024 . May 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240528202442/https://deadline.com/2024/05/josh-oconnor-cailee-spaeny-daniel-craig-wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery-1235942121/ . live .
- Web site: Andrew Scott Joins 'Knives Out 3' Cast (EXCLUSIVE). Rubin. Rebecca. May 28, 2024. May 29, 2024. May 29, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240529010125/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/andrew-scott-knives-out-3-cast-1236017343/. live.
- Web site: Kroll . Justin . May 29, 2024 . Kerry Washington Joins Daniel Craig In 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' . Deadline Hollywood . May 29, 2024 . July 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240715144015/https://deadline.com/2024/05/kerry-washington-wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery-1235942921/ . live .
- Web site: Glenn Close Joins Daniel Craig in 'Knives Out 3' (Exclusive). Kit. Borys. The Hollywood Reporter. May 29, 2024. May 29, 2024. May 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240530162631/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/glenn-close-knives-out-3-1235911053/. live.
- Web site: Kroll . Justin . May 30, 2024 . Jeremy Renner Joins Daniel Craig In 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' . Deadline Hollywood . May 30, 2024 . July 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240715144012/https://deadline.com/2024/05/jeremy-renner-wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery-1235943996/ . live .
- Web site: Kroll . Justin . May 30, 2024 . Mila Kunis Latest Addition To 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' Ensemble . Deadline Hollywood . May 30, 2024 . July 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240715144018/https://deadline.com/2024/05/mila-kunis-wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery-1235943999/ . live .
- Web site: 'Knives Out 3' Adds 'Good Luck to You, Leo Grande' Star Daryl McCormack to Cast (EXCLUSIVE). Rubin. Rebecca. May 31, 2024. May 31, 2024. May 31, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240531160324/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/knives-out-3-cast-daryl-mccormack-1236019883/. live.
- Web site: Josh Brolin Joins Daniel Craig in 'Knives Out 3' (Exclusive). Kit. Borys. The Hollywood Reporter. June 3, 2024. June 3, 2024. July 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240715144014/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/josh-brolin-daniel-craig-in-knives-out-3-1235911839/. live.
- Web site: Knives Out 3 Cast Adds Spider-Man's Thomas Haden Church. Schruer. Brandon. June 4, 2024. June 4, 2024. June 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240604163019/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1752054-knives-out-3-cast-spider-man-thomas-haden-church. live.
- Web site: Steve Yedlin, ASC . May 29, 2024 . March 25, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230325061201/https://innovative-production.com/media/3310/yedlinstevewebresume.pdf . live .
- Web site: Nathan Johnson to Return for Rian Johnson's 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' . May 29, 2024 . May 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240528194013/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/24/nathan-johnson-to-return-for-rian-johnsons-wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-3-mystery/ . live .
- Web site: 'Knives Out' T-Street Partners Rian Johnson & Ram Bergman Tap Katie McNeill To Join As Producer. Deadline Hollywood. Fleming Jr.. Mike. January 25, 2024. February 6, 2024. February 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240207165307/https://deadline.com/2024/01/knives-out-t-street-rian-johnson-ram-bergman-katie-mcneill-join-as-producer-1235805133/. live.
- . rianjohnson . 1800166308321104341 . June 10, 2024 . 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. . June 10, 2024 . https://x.com/rianjohnson/status/1800166308321104341 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240610141357/https://x.com/rianjohnson/status/1800166308321104341 . June 10, 2024.
- Web site: Daniel Craig Debuts Long Hair in 'Knives Out 3' First Look. Variety. June 10, 2024. July 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240715144123/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/knives-out-3-daniel-craig-long-hair-1236031037/. live.
- News: Glenn Close 'hit hard' with Covid and RSV at same time, forced to delay filming 'Knives Out 3'. Alli. Rosenbloom. CNN. June 19, 2024. June 21, 2024. June 20, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240620173542/https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/19/entertainment/glenn-close-knives-out-3-covid-rsv-wellness/index.html?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc. live.
- News: Actor Glenn Close 'hit hard' with COVID and RSV. Fox 11 Los Angeles. June 19, 2024. June 21, 2024. July 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240715144015/https://www.foxla.com/video/1473548. live.
- News: 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' Just Got an Incredible Filming Update. August 17, 2024. August 17, 2024. August 17, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240817165810/https://collider.com/knives-out-3-filming-update/. live.
- News: PTI . 2024-05-31 . Rian Johnson’s ‘Knives Out’ 3 adds Mila Kunis . 2024-07-15 . . en-IN . 0971-751X . June 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240611094011/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/rian-johnsons-knives-out-3-adds-mila-kunis/article68235515.ece . live.
- Web site: Rubin . Rebecca . Sharf . Zack . September 10, 2022 . Daniel Craig and Rian Johnson Tease More Knives Out After Twisty, Fun Glass Onion Slays Toronto Film Festival . September 10, 2022 . Variety . en-US . September 11, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220911152431/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/knives-out-2-premiere-tiff-glass-onion-1235362984/ . live .
- Web site: Dick . Jeremy . September 11, 2022 . Daniel Craig and Rian Johnson Don't Want to Ever Stop Making Knives Out Movies . September 11, 2022 . MovieWeb . en-US . September 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220912232321/https://movieweb.com/daniel-craig-rian-johnson-knives-out-movies-forever/ . live .