Director Rian Johnson’s rule about Benoit Blanc never receiving a prequel might seem like bad news, but it’s great for the Knives Out movies. Blanc (Daniel Craig) originated in Knives Out as a charismatic detective hired to solve the murder of Harlan Thromby, uncovering an even deeper mystery than he first realized. Blanc returned to solve another mystery in the Knives Out sequel Glass Onion, where audiences gained insights into Blanc’s life outside detective work. Though some want to learn more about Benoit Blanc, Johnson maintains that there won’t be a prequel about the detective.
It might seem like a missed opportunity to not explore Benoit Blanc further in a Knives Out prequel, but it’s actually the right choice for the mystery series. While Blanc is the only character to appear in both Knives Out and Glass Onion, he’s not the focus of either movie, so making a prequel about him would feel out of place in the series. Rian Johnson’s rule about a Benoit Blanc prequel ensures that the focus stays on the mysteries rather than the character, thereby maintaining what’s so great about the Knives Out movies in the first place.
Why A Knives Out Prequel About Benoit Blanc Wouldn't Work
Though it might seem like a good idea to make a Benoit Blanc prequel, it wouldn't fit in with the established feel of the Knives Out series. Since Blanc is the only character to appear in both Knives Out and Glass Onion, it could be argued that Blanc is the main character of the series, but this is not necessarily the case. Rian Johnson maintains that Blanc is not the “interesting” part about the Knives Out movies, and that the detective is only there to fulfill a classic murder-mystery role. This outlook on Blanc’s character shows that making a prequel about Benoit Blanc is unnecessary for the series.
Because Benoit Blanc isn’t what makes Knives Out and its sequel interesting, but the mysteries at the center of each movie, a prequel about the detective wouldn’t fit in with the series. Part of what makes the Knives Out series so great is Rian Johnson’s commitment to the rules of the murder-mystery genre, which means primarily focusing on the mystery. A prequel developed with the intention to expand upon Blanc’s character in Knives Out would flout this rule. Since the Knives Out series is so adherent to the genre rules of murder-mysteries and a Benoit Blanc prequel couldn’t be by design, the prequel would feel wildly out of place in the series.
Glass Onion Shows How To Develop Benoit Blanc's Story
Although a Benoit Blanc prequel is not in the cards, Glass Onion shows that there is a way to develop Blanc’s backstory without making it the focus. Glass Onion includes memorable insights into Blanc’s personal life, such as the fact that he’s gay and in a relationship with a man named Phillip (played by Hugh Grant). Scenes like this demonstrate that it’s possible to build Benoit’s story gradually, which allows the movie to still maintain a focus on the mystery. Given the rich material Glass Onion introduced, the groundwork is set for the next Knives Out mystery to follow a similar trend, meaning that the future is bright for both Benoit Blanc and the Knives Out series.