Following the premiere of the latest Knives Out film, acclaimed director Rian Johnson has publicly extended an invitation to one of Hollywood's most revered actors to join his beloved murder-mystery franchise.
The Director's Dream Casting
In a recent interview, Johnson, the creative force behind the Knives Out series, openly courted Meryl Streep for a future role. The 51-year-old filmmaker told IndieWire that while there are many great actors he'd like to work with, Streep is a standout choice. He directly addressed the Oscar-winner, stating he feels she would slot into a murder mystery very well.
Johnson then referenced Streep's recent appearance on Saturday Night Live after decades of fan requests, quipping: "If Lorne can do it, then, goddamn, so can we." This isn't Streep's first foray into the whodunnit genre; she has recently starred in three seasons of Hulu's popular murder-mystery comedy, Only Murders in the Building, which concluded last month.
The Knives Out Universe Expands
While expressing his desire to work with Streep, Johnson was clear that casting is a meticulous process for each film. "The reality is it's a casting process and you're going after movie stars who have busy schedules," he explained, noting that while you get a yes or no, the final cast always feels perfect.
The franchise, known for its all-star ensembles, began in 2019 with a cast including Christopher Plummer, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Chris Evans. It launched Ana de Armas into a breakout role and featured Daniel Craig as the iconic detective Benoit Blanc. Johnson recently revealed that Craig nearly missed the first film due to James Bond scheduling conflicts.
What's Next for Benoit Blanc?
The third instalment, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, has just been released. The film hit select theatres on November 26 and is scheduled to debut on Netflix on December 12. This new chapter sees Benoit Blanc investigating a murder at a local church and has been praised for its darker themes, a departure from the Agatha Christie style of the first two movies.
The new film's cast includes Josh O'Connor as a young priest, Josh Brolin as a monsignor, and Glenn Close as a parishioner. As for whether Meryl Streep will join this growing universe, she has not yet responded to The Independent's request for comment on Johnson's public offer.
