Rian Johnson and producer Ram Bergman discuss the release of 'Wake Up Dead Man,' the third Knives Out film, and the open-ended future of the franchise. The movie opens in theaters on November 26, 2025, before streaming on Netflix December 12. Johnson emphasizes creative control and no plans for expanding beyond Benoit Blanc as the sole returning character.
Release Details
'Wake Up Dead Man' marks the final film in Johnson and Bergman's two-picture Netflix deal for the Knives Out franchise, which began with the independent 2019 original and continued with 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery' in 2022. The deal generated $450 million, and rights now revert to T-Street Productions, their independent banner. Daniel Craig reprises his role as detective Benoit Blanc in this new murder mystery, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and holds a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Franchise Philosophy
Johnson insists on writing and directing all future entries himself, viewing the series not as traditional IP but as personal projects. 'I don’t see it as IP,' he told Variety. 'Each ‘Knives Out’ film is something I want to make. If that stops being the case, we won’t do another one.' He rules out returning ensemble casts, preferring fresh stories and actors each time to keep mysteries standalone. Bergman added, 'It’s still our franchise.'
What's Next
Post-release, Johnson feels 'energized' and will pursue more Benoit Blanc tales if ideas arise, with no fixed plans. He is currently scripting an original film slated for 2026 production. T-Street, founded after the first Knives Out, focuses on supporting filmmakers without corporate ties, having backed successes like the Oscar-winning 'American Fiction.' Meanwhile, a new version of their Peacock series 'Poker Face' with Peter Dinklage is being shopped after its cancellation.