Following the release of the latest film, director Rian Johnson confirms he is already thinking about the future of the popular mystery series, sharing that he has early conceptual ideas for a fourth case for detective Benoit Blanc. The filmmaker plans to work on a separate project next but remains committed to continuing the franchise with star Daniel Craig for as long as audiences are interested.
The Director Shares Early Thoughts on a New Mystery
In recent interviews, Rian Johnson has been open about his creative process following the completion of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, which premiered in 2025. He confirmed that while his next project will be an original film, ideas for another Benoit Blanc story are already beginning to form.
“I have some basic, elemental, conceptual ideas,” Johnson told Entertainment Weekly. “Like, ‘Okay, it’d be interesting if it were this kind of thing’ kernels.”
He was careful to explain that these ideas are not yet fully developed. “I don’t have actual concrete ideas,” he said. “I don’t have a theme yet. I don’t have a location. It’s really pretty vague, and I feel like it’s good to kinda keep it vague until I’m ready to actually sit down and write it”.
Johnson emphasized that a key part of creating each “Knives Out” film involves capturing the feeling of the current moment. He described the series as a “vibe check of the United States,” where each story is designed to reflect the shared cultural atmosphere at the time it is made. This focus on timeliness means the specific direction of the next mystery will likely take shape closer to when he actively begins writing.
Daniel Craig is Ready to Return as Benoit Blanc
A major factor in the series’ future is the continued participation of its star, Daniel Craig, who portrays the Southern detective Benoit Blanc. According to Johnson, their collaboration is the foundation of the franchise’s success.
Daniel Craig has expressed his own willingness to continue playing the role, stating, “If he keeps writing them, I’ll keep doing them”. Johnson has echoed this sentiment, noting his intention to “keep making these until Daniel blocks me on his phone”.
Their partnership is seen as a key reason the films continue to feel fresh. Johnson has stated that he and Craig share a goal of trying something new and challenging themselves with each entry to avoid simply repeating a formula.
What’s Next for Rian Johnson
Before diving back into the world of Benoit Blanc, Rian Johnson will direct at least one original film. He has described his next project as a sci-fi homage to 1970s paranoid thrillers. This pattern of alternating between original films and franchise entries has been part of his career rhythm.
The director has a clear vision for the longevity of the mystery series. “I would be thrilled if, amongst other things, I can come back and keep making these the rest of my life,” Johnson said on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast. “I’d be a happy man”.
He also humorously addressed one popular fan request that is not in the cards. Despite frequent online calls for a crossover, Johnson definitively ruled out a Knives Out Muppet movie. He explained that mixing the tones of a murder mystery where characters die with the joyful world of the Muppets would not work for either franchise.
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Looking Back at ‘Wake Up Dead Man’
The third film, Wake Up Dead Man, was released in select theaters starting November 26, 2025, before its global debut on Netflix on December 12, 2025. The story presented a darker, more Gothic-toned mystery set within a rural church congregation in upstate New York.
The film featured an extensive ensemble cast including Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Kerry Washington, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Daryl McCormack, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, and Thomas Haden Church. Johnson noted that the film was an attempt to examine the complicated issue of faith in America through the lens of a classic whodunit.
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