Will there be ‘Knives Out 4’? Director drops major update as ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ arrives on Netflix
Rian Johnson’s whodunit universe is expanding once again, as ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ arrives on Netflix this Friday, December 12. It brings Daniel Craig back for his third turn as the sharp-eyed detective Benoit Blanc. With the film’s release, one question is immediately resurfacing among fans: is this the final case for Blanc, or are more mysteries still waiting to be solved? Craig first introduced audiences to Blanc in 2019’s ‘Knives Out,’ a surprise hit that revived classic murder mysteries for a modern audience. The character returned in 2022’s ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,’ as per Forbes.
Now, 'Wake Up Dead Man' marks Blanc’s third standalone investigation, once again placing him in a completely new setting with an entirely different cast of suspects. Aside from Blanc himself, the films share no direct narrative continuity, making each entry feel like a self-contained puzzle. This structure has become a defining feature of the franchise. Johnson has frequently compared Blanc to legendary fictional detectives of the past, particularly Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. Like Poirot, Blanc drifts from case to case, encountering fresh personalities, social circles, and motives with every story.
That flexibility also leaves the door wide open for future installments. Although Johnson’s original deal with Netflix covered two sequels following the first film, the director has made it clear he isn’t done with the genre or with Benoit Blanc. In an interview with Variety, Johnson says, “It’s definitely not because I’m burned out. In fact, I feel energized after making this one. I feel excited about the possibilities of, ‘OK, if we can do this, what else can we do with the murder mystery?’” Still, fans shouldn’t expect another Blanc case immediately. Johnson has confirmed that his next project will be an entirely original film unrelated to ‘Knives Out.’
He explained, “But I had this other idea I’d been cooking for a while, and I thought, ‘Well, I’ve done three of these in a row. I’ll give Daniel a little break from me and go up and do something else.’” Whenever Blanc does return, one thing is guaranteed: a brand-new ensemble. Johnson has repeatedly emphasized that he has no interest in reusing the same group of actors from film to film. The director’s enthusiasm for casting has already sparked plenty of speculation about who might appear in future chapters. Johnson has openly praised Meryl Streep, suggesting she “would kill it.”
However, he’s also joked that casting such a legendary actor would first require actually knowing her, admitting with humor that they’ve never met. While the future of Benoit Blanc remains unwritten, Johnson’s comments make one thing clear: the detective’s story is far from closed. It may take time before another case reaches the screen, but when it does, audiences can expect a brand-new mystery, a fresh group of suspects, and another clever twist on a genre that refuses to go out of style.
