Wake Up Dead Man: What We Know So Far About The Next Knives Out Movie

Get ready, because Wake Up Dead Man is on the way – otherwise known as the next Knives Out movie.

Over the course of the past decade, Rian Johnson has gone from being the director behind one of the most divisive Star Wars movies to the beloved creator of the next great murder mystery comedy franchise with Knives Out.

And now, we know that Knives Out 3, officially titled Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, is confirmed with a new mystery, a new location, a new set of characters (besides Mr. Blanc, of course), and a new level of intrigue. Here is what we know so far.

What Is The Knives Out 3 Premiere Date?

At the time of updating this in December 2024, Wake Up Dead Man should release at some point in 2025, according to Netflix.

While it won’t be on any 2024 movie schedule, we at least know it’ll be appearing with the 2025 movie releases for sure.

We also know that it will eventually stream on Netflix thanks to the massive exclusivity deal Johnson signed with the streaming giant in the spring of 2021.

The Wake Up Dead Man Cast

In May and June 2024, a slew of casting announcements began to come in for the Wake Up Dead Man cast, and now Netflix Tudum has officially confirmed all of them. Here is what we know:

Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc

Daniel Craig will return to reprise his role as Benoit Blanc – and honestly, thank God, because I don’t think these movies would be the same without him.

Craig has portrayed the famous detective since 2019 during the first Knives Out film, and has since become beloved even more so for his great portrayal, hilarious timing, and spectacular acting skills. It wouldn’t quite be Knives Out if he wasn’t there.

In addition to the lead role in the two Knives Out movies, Craig has appeared in plenty of other films, including Elizabeth, Munich, Logan Lucky, The Golden Compass and many others. Most people nowadays likely recognize him from his time in the James Bond movies (where he played the titular character) all of which were critically acclaimed.

Josh O’Conner

Josh O’Conner will star in Wake Up Dead Man.The actor has gained a significant amount of fame in the last few months for his role in Challengers, but he also earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of Charles, Prince of Wales in The Crown. He also co-starred in Emma.

Cailee Spaeny

Cailee Spaeny is also signed on for the mystery. The actress gained critical acclaim for her portrayal of Priscilla Presley in Priscilla in 2023, and she’s also appeared in Civil War, Pacific Rim Uprising, Vice and more.

Jeremy Renner

A Marvel alum has joined Wake Up Dead Man, as Jeremy Renner will appear. Renner has gained a lot of fame over the last decade for his portrayal of Hawkeye in the MCU, and the actor has also been in several other films, like The Hurt Locker, The Town, 28 Weeks Later and more. He’s also the star of Mayor of Kingstown. This will be his first major movie role since his life-threatening accident in 2022.

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington will also star in the upcoming film. The actress starred in Scandal for many seasons, and also appeared in the miniseries Little Fires Everywhere. She has had roles in films like Ray, The Last King of Scotland, Django Unchained and many others.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis is also a part of theWake Up Dead Man cast. Kunis gained fame for her role in That ‘70s Show, and has since appeared in a variety of films from many genres, such as Black Swan, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, The Book of Eli, and others.

Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott will appear in the cast, as well. The actor recently starred in All Of Us Strangers, but has appeared in various other films, as well as having a major role as Moriarty in the Sherlock TV series.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close has also joined the ensemble. The actress has been in the industry for decades, with some of her biggest roles being in Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, The Natural, The Big Chill, and several more impressive titles.

Daryl McCormack

Daryl McCormack is a part of the cast of Wake Up Dead Man. The actor has appeared in Fair City, Peaky Blinders, Bad Sisters, and more, and held a starring role in the movie Good Luck to You, Leo Grande in 2022.

Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin will also star in the movie. Brolin starred in Outer Range on Amazon Prime, and has also appeared in movies such as Sicario, the Dune franchise, Only the Brave, Deadpool 2, Hail, Caesar! and more, as well as his long-time portrayal of Thanos in the MCU.

Thomas Haden Church

Thomas Haden Church has also joined the cast of Wake Up Dead Man. The actor played the Sandman in Spider-Man 3 and in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and he’s also appeared in films such as Sideways, Smart People, Easy A, Max, Hellboy and more.

Jeez, talk about a freaking cast. I’m already eager to see what mystery they’re involved in.

When Will We Get A Trailer For Wake Up Dead Man?

At the time of updating this in December 2024, there is no trailer out yet for the next Knives Out film, but, with a 2025 release date in mind, it might not be that long before we get something. The Super Bowl is coming up in February 2024 and Netflix isn’t a stranger to releasing trailers during the big game, so who knows? We might get our first teaser then.

What Is Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery About?

What do we know so far about this film? Here are the few details we have scrounged up:

Wake Up Dead Man Will Be More Like The First Knives Out

So, as expected, we know next to nothing about the plot, as Netflix likes to keep these things on the down low. But what we do know is that the next film will be similar to the first Knives Out movie, instead of Glass Onion.

Josh Brolin, one of the actors in the ensemble cast, revealed in an interview to People in October 2024 that the new movie is a lot more like the first one, saying that he preferred the first and the third feels like that:

Again, we know really next to nothing about this film – but this is at least some kind of a clue.

Wake Up Dead Man Is Inspired By A U2 Song

According to the earlier Tudum article, we know that the name of the movie is actually inspired by a U2 song from their famous album, “Pop,” and Johnson said that the tune fits, noting:

The title follows in the footsteps of the last two Knives Out films, both of which were inspired by music. Does this mean that we have to listen closely for clues??? I need something, Johnson!

Rian Johnson Wrote And Directed Again

While plot details are scarce, we do know who directed and wrote the film — specifically that Johnson returned to those roles for the third time in this franchise.

This was further confirmed by several of the Deadline articles above, reiterating that Johnson would be working on the third movie. Considering the last few movies have been critically acclaimed for their stories, this makes me even happier.

Filming Is Complete

Filming for Wake Up Dead Man began in June 2024. The director shared the news on his Twitter page, cementing the start of production:

Then, in August 2024, two months later, the director once again posted on Twitter that filming is done, and that it was a “special shoot:”

Now this just makes me more excited.

Don’t Forget About Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery And The Original Knives Out

I know we’re all waiting for Knives Out 3, but don’t forget that the first two films are available to watch online, whether through streaming or renting. You can check out Knives Out on AMC+, and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is streaming on Netflix.

Rent/Buy Knives Out on Amazon.
Stream Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery on Netflix.

Expect to hear more about Wake Up Dead Man as time goes on. Until then, we’ll just need to be patient – and somehow not lose our mind while waiting.