Rian Johnson says next movie after Knives Out 3 will explore different genre

Filmmaker Rian Johnson has revealed that his next project following Knives Out 3 will depart from the murder mystery genre. In an interview with DiscussingFilm, Johnson said that while he remains passionate about mystery films, he is ready to try something creatively different for his next movie.

Set to release on Netflix in late 2025, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery features Daniel Craig returning as detective Benoit Blanc alongside a star-studded cast including Mila Kunis, Josh Brolin, and Glenn Close. Johnson described the film as Blanc’s most dangerous case yet.

While the third film promises high stakes, Johnson is already looking ahead creatively. “I have something in my head that is a totally different thing… it’s a very different genre,” he said, while clarifying that he’s not burnt out on the genre and still enjoys making whodunits.

In a separate interview with Business Insider, Johnson expressed his support for broader theatrical releases. Though Netflix continues to focus on streaming, Johnson said, “That experience of being in a full house is so important,” and confirmed he’s pushing for Wake Up Dead Man to have a wide theatrical run.

Knives Out was previously nominated for an Academy Award and earned over $300 million globally. Glass Onion followed with strong streaming numbers. Meanwhile, season two of Johnson’s series Poker Face starring Natasha Lyonne is now available on Netflix.