Benoit Blanc returns in a new Knives Out mystery next year

24 May 2024

Benoit Blanc is back to solve another mystery in Rian Johnson‘s third “Knives Out” film, titled “Wake Up Dead Man.” Johnson announced the title, along with a 2025 release date, in a teaser posted to X Friday morning.

“In the beginning, the knives came out. Then, behold, the glass was shattered. But my most dangerous case yet is about to be revealed,” narrates Daniel Craig in the 45-second video, referencing the first two titles of the murder mystery franchise, 2019’s “Knives Out” and 2022’s “Glass Onion.”

“Wake Up Dead Man” will be distributed by Netflix as part of Johnson’s two-sequel deal with the streamer, worth $450 million. Despite the first film, distributed by Lionsgate, grossing $312 million at the global box office, Netflix put out “Glass Onion” with only a limited theatrical release, collecting a mere $13 million before launching it on streaming.

Johnson sent the internet into a frenzy early Friday morning when he posted a photo of a Pokémon egg, signaling that something was about to hatch. (No, he’s not directing a “Pokémon Go” feature.) About 10 minutes later, he followed up, writing: “I love everything about whodunnits, but one of the things I love most is how malleable the genre is. There’s a whole tonal spectrum from Carr to Christie, and getting to explore that range is one of the most exciting things about making Benoit Blanc movies. We’re about to go into production on the 3rd one, and I’m very, very excited to share the title, which gives a little hint of where it’s going.”

Johnson has his hands full. The writer-director behind “Looper” and “Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi” is also working on Season 2 of his Peacock mystery series starring Natasha Lyonne, “Poker Face.” And, with his producing partner Ram Bergman, he recently signed a two-picture deal at Warner Bros., where he’ll be overseeing two more films.