Knives Out might sound like a reference to the fandom that started a social media maelstrom in reaction to Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but it’s the title of a murder-mystery that will serve as director Rian Johnson’s follow-up to that $1.3 billion worldwide-grossing Star Wars Sequel Trilogy middle act movie. While that fact alone gives Knives Out a good amount of gravitas, the newly-announced project is already touting its star… Daniel Craig!
Stoking excitement ahead of this week’s Toronto Film Festival, the surprise announcement of Rian Johnson’s written/directorial follow-up movie – and star Daniel Craig – was a proverbial airhorn designed to preemptively attract prospective bidders at the industry festivities. Auspiciously, Johnson will not only direct the film off his own script but will serve as a producer alongside repertory producing partner Ram Bergman.
The news, via Deadline, arrives as the script for the surprise project was reportedly sent to major buyers, foreshadowing a heavy bidding war. As Johnson tells the trade:
“I have been a huge fan and always wanted to work with him and as I worked on the script, trying to get it right, Ram and I were wringing our hands over who could be the detective. Then, serendipitously, we heard Daniel might have a small window, and it worked out. He’s an actor of extraordinary range, and we are looking forward to the fun of finding that modern detective and collaborating with Daniel on creating a new Poirot.”
Possible parallels to Agatha Christie’s iconic detective aside, the plot of Knives Out is said to showcase “a modern-day murder mystery in the classic whodunit style,” said contain elements of signature Johnson dramas in 2005 crime thriller Brick and 2012 time-bending actioner Looper, both of which starred Joseph Gordon-Levitt. While no cast members other than Craig have been confirmed, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that Johnson has designs to once again tap the talent of Gordon-Levitt for Knives Out.
The Knives Out news arrives shortly after Daniel Craig’s untitled Bond 25 was hit with a major setback with the exit of director Danny Boyle, potentially taking his next shaken-not-stirred role reprisal off the table for the near future. Craig reportedly detached himself from the long-gestating Showtime limited TV series, Purity, because of his (now-delayed) Bond 25 plans. Given recent developments, one might wonder if he’ll return to Purity or immediately move forward with Knives Out.
On an interesting-but-unimportant note: Craig – completely covered in a Stormtrooper outfit – fielded an uncredited cameo in 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the immediate predecessor to Johnson’s The Last Jedi. Of course, Johnson is hardly done with the Star Wars universe, having been tapped to write and direct the kickoff movie for a new trilogy of Star Wars films set for far-future date to be determined.
We’ll keep you updated on Knives Out as things develop!