Rian Johnson's Knives Out was a hugely entertaining movie that drew inspiration from other great murder mysteries while also adding its own clever twist to the genre. The movie was a big enough hit that it has spawned a franchise following the exploits of detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig).
Much like the first movie, Knives Out 2 features an all-star cast in the Greece-set mystery. While little is known about the sequel, it is safe to assume there will be a murder, and one of the famous faces in the cast will be revealed as the killer—but who is the most likely suspect?
Daniel Craig
As great as Daniel Craig is as James Bond, his role as Blanc has given him a great new franchise character to play going forward. He is a clever and hilarious gumshoe who is a blast to cheer on as he pieces together the clues of the case.
It is pretty easy to rank Craig as the cast member least likely to be the killer. It's true that Johnson proved he was willing to play against expectations with the first movie, but, given that future Benoit Blanc mysteries are in the works, it's safe to predict he's not the killer.
Ethan Hawke
Ethan Hawke is an actor with an incredibly versatile career, from beloved indies like Before Sunrise to mainstream horror movies like Sinister. He has also not played the villain roles often which he will get a chance to do in the upcoming Moon Knight series.
It wouldn't be too hard to see Hawke as an arrogant and cold killer similar to Chris Evans in the first movie. But, it feels like Hawke has another role to play here. With his late addition to the cast, it seems more likely that Hawke will be the murder victim at the center of the tale.
Dave Bautista
Though some might have questioned Dave Bautista's acting future when he was in the wrestling world, he has proven himself to be one of the best athletes-turned-actors in the business. From the MCU to the recent Army of the Dead as well as some great supporting roles, Bautista is a true talent.
It is extremely exciting to see him a part of a star-studded cast in a fun movie like this, and it's probably a safe bet that his intimidating stature would make him a prime suspect. But, it's more likely that Johnson will want to play Bautista against type in a lighter role.
Madelyn Cline
Madelyn Cline is probably the least well-known member of the Knives Out 2 cast, but she is certainly a rising star. She is probably best known for her role as Sarah in Outer Banks and likely has a great career ahead of her.
Cline feels like the obligatory young cast member who will add a youthful vibe to the ensemble. While she will no doubt be a key part of the cast, she doesn't seem like a big enough name to be the main killer in a movie like this.
Jessica Henwick
Another up-and-coming actor who has joined this movie is Jessica Henwick. While she already landed some impressive television roles on Game of Thrones and Iron Fist, Henwick seems poised for a breakout movie career with upcoming roles in The Matrix 4 and The Gray Man.
With that resume of high-profile upcoming roles, it could be that Johnson sees the star she is going to become and might make her the unexpected choice for the killer. But, Henwick feels more like an early red herring for Blanc to rule out before the final act.
Leslie Odom Jr.
People first became aware of Leslie Odom Jr's incredible talent with his breakout role in the groundbreaking Broadway musical Hamilton. Since then, he has been busy building an impressive movie career, including an Oscar-nominated role in One Night in Miami.
Odom Jr. has a lot of charisma and a strong presence on screen, so it is not hard to imagine him becoming the focal point of the movie. However, he could be utilized as a distracting scene-stealer to take suspicion away from the real killer.
Kathryn Hahn
Kathryn Hahn is one of the most entertaining actors working today, with a long resume of terrific projects, both comedic and dramatic. She also recently proved how effective she can be at playing the seemingly innocent person who ends up being the villain with her iconic role as Agatha Harkness in WandaVision.
Given her role in WandaVision and the popularity of it, casting her as the surprise villain might be too predictable. However, Johnson does like to use such expectations against the audience, so it could be a classic double-bluff situation, making the audience think it's too obvious only to have her as the killer anyway.
Janelle Monae
Along with a stellar music career, Janella Monae has become an incredibly talented actor. She has already starred in critically acclaimed movies, such as Moonlight and Hidden Figures, but Knives Out 2 seems like her opportunity for a more comedic part.
Based on her presence in other movie roles, it is easy to see Monae playing a confident and powerful figure who can go toe-to-toe with Blanc. She could be the type of killer who isn't really trying to hide her guilt but is sure she won't get caught for it.
Edward Norton
Edward Norton has a long and fantastic career in movies ranging from small projects to huge blockbusters. He is also known for playing the villain just as often as he plays the hero. In fact, his role in Primal Fear is a murder mystery with a famous twist ending with his character.
As soon as Norton was cast in the movie, there were probably many people who had him pegged as the killer. That assumption might make him a red herring, but Johnson might remove suspicion of Norton's character early on, only to turn things around in the end.
Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson might be seen as the romantic-comedy star in many people's eyes, but she has many other projects that show her incredible range. From her breakout role in Almost Famous to her dark role in Marshall.
However, it is her reputation as the queen of rom-coms that might solidify her as the killer. Johnson similarly used Chris Evans's persona as Captain America to make him the unexpected and fun villain, and it feels like he could pull the same trick with Hudson.