Lionsgate's Knives Out writer-director Rian Johnson is already working on a script for the potential Knives Out 2. Even before Knives Out hit theaters late in November 2019, Johnson's whodunnit thriller had already built an incredible amount of buzz. This was in part due to it making the rounds on the festival circuit in 2019, and early Knives Out movie reviews praised Johnson's latest as one of the most fun films of the year. After Knives Out officially released, the word-of-mouth buzz continued to build, as casual moviegoers were entertained by Johnson's update on the murder mystery genre.
Knives Out introduces viewers to the private investigator Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), who's hired to investigate the mysterious death of wealthy crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer). The cast is filled with A-listers and up-and-comers, all playing wildly entertaining characters, from Chris Evans' smarmy, obnoxious Ransom and Toni Collette's West Coast influencer Joni to Ana de Armas' kind-hearted Marta. But, of course, with the mystery of Harlan's death wrapped up by the end of Knives Out, it's Craig's Blanc who would lead a sequel. In fact before this film came out, Johnson said he'd love to do a Knives Out sequel with Craig returning as Blanc. Now it seems he'll start working on the script for that very movie very soon, if he hasn't already.
According to Roger Friedman's Showbiz 411, Johnson has been "commissioned" to write a sequel to Knives Out, but it won't continue the stories of Marta and the Thrombey's. Instead, "it will have all new characters and a crime to solve for Benoit Blanc." Further, THR reports that Johnson confirmed he's working on the script, indicating he'd like to make the sequel in the next year. Since Johnson's Knives Out and detective Benoit Blanc were inspired by Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, it makes sense that if he were to do a sequel, it would focus on Blanc and a new mystery.
So far, Knives Out has earned over $200 million at the box office ($247 million to be exact), on a budget of just $40 million, making it an undeniable hit. Considering this success, it's no wonder Lionsgate would want to turn Knives Out into a franchise, especially with a star like Craig at the center, who's concluding his run as James Bond in this year's No Time To Die. Still, even though Johnson's movie is packed with star power - and Evans' cream cable knit sweater in Knives Out has become a viral star all its own - they're only one reason the film has become such a success. Johnson's Knives Out is the rare combination of talented performances, clever script, discerning filmmaking and genuine entertainment that struck a chord with audiences around the world - and it certainly helps that everyone involved in making the movie seems to be having just as much fun as anyone watching it in theaters.
Some would argue that it's impossible for lightning like the success Knives Out has seen to ever strike twice. Certainly, Hollywood is plagued by sequels and franchise installments that never quite live up to the original. It's also true that Johnson has never done a sequel to one of his original projects. That said, the filmmaker certainly has franchise experience, having made Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Lucasfilm even tapped Johnson to write and direct his own Star Wars trilogy. While that movie series is still in development, fans of Knives Out would no doubt like to see his take on a sequel. With only Benoit Blanc returning, a possible Knives Out 2 could satisfy fans of the initial whodunnit while Johnson delivers a compelling addition to his own murder mystery film series. Of course, Johnson is still in the very early stages of developing the sequel, so fans will have to wait and see what becomes of Knives Out 2.
Source: Showbiz 411, THR