Rian Johnson’s Next Knives Out Film Is Still Just an Idea

Director Rian Johnson has provided a status update on the highly anticipated fourth installment of the Knives Out franchise, revealing that the project remains in its earliest conceptual stages. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the filmmaker stated he has only basic ideas and no concrete plot, theme, or location, confirming that the next Benoit Blanc adventure will not be his immediate follow-up project.

Johnson and star Daniel Craig have already confirmed a fourth film is in the pipeline, but the director’s latest comments indicate a longer wait than the gap between the second film, Glass Onion, and the upcoming third film, Wake Up Dead Man. Johnson’s next feature will be a separate sci-fi project, signaling a significant delay before he begins writing the new mystery.

The Current Status of Knives Out 4

According to Johnson, his ideas for the next sequel are merely “kernels” of thought. He emphasized the importance of keeping the concept vague until he is ready to dedicate time to the screenplay. This approach suggests that full development on Knives Out 4 is still some time away, as the director focuses his creative energy elsewhere.

Johnson’s Upcoming Sci-Fi Project

Before returning to the world of whodunits, Rian Johnson is set to direct a new film that he describes as a “‘70s paranoid thriller” with a “light sci-fi element.” This project is currently the most exciting thing on his agenda, following his instinct to “follow your nose” to the next story he wants to tell. This confirms that the Knives Out franchise is on hold until after this original film is completed.

Fan Theories and Crossovers Shut Down

In the lead-up to Wake Up Dead Man, some fans championed the idea of a Knives Out and Muppets crossover. Johnson directly addressed and dismissed this possibility, explaining that the tonal mismatch would be jarring and that he respects both franchises too much to force a combination where Muppet characters would be subject to murder.

While a full crossover is off the table, Netflix has previously produced a Sesame Street sketch based on the franchise, featuring Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc. This serves as the closest approximation to a family-friendly Knives Out experience audiences will receive.

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