Rian Johnson Teases His New Movie — An Original Paranoid Thriller After the 'Knives Out' Trilogy Ends [Exclusive]

At least for now, Rian Johnson is done with the Knives Out franchise. With Wake Up Dead Man set to release in theaters this November and arrive on Netflix afterward in December, the director is preparing to set Benoit Blanc aside once his latest case is closed and explore something new beyond the realm of murder mysteries. He’s always been capable of developing highly original and existential concepts to base his stories around, like the Bruce Willis sci-fi action thriller Looper, and he appears to be heading in that direction again. Back in October, he announced his intention to return to the sci-fi genre with another original concept that also serves as a throwback of sorts to the 1970s. He was able to elaborate a bit further during a Q&A following Collider’s FYC screening of Wake Up Dead Man, where Editor-in-Chief Steve Weintraub asked about what the future holds.

The Star Wars: The Last Jedi director couldn’t share much about what his new concept was, but he reaffirmed what realm he was dabbling in and confirmed that he’s already hard at work on it. “Yeah, I’m writing right now,” Johnson responded. “Not another one of these, I’m writing something original that’s kind of like a paranoid thriller, sort of. I don’t know, it’s weird. We’ll see.” In his previous tease, he said there were “light sci-fi elements” in it, which could put this more in the realm of Looper or something similar, rather than a bigger exploration of a grand sci-fi epic. Whatever the case, it sounds like a welcome return to the genre-bending, original fare that first put him on the map. He’s also been open about his desire to get something back on the big screen beyond the limited theatrical releases Netflix offers, which his next project could finally provide an opportunity for.

That doesn’t mean he’s burnt out on Daniel Craig‘s southern-accented sleuth. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. While Wake Up Dead Man represents the end of his agreement to create two Knives Out sequels for Netflix, he’s more than happy to keep coming back to the well for more so long as there’s interest. He may be ready to pursue other passions and live outside of Blanc’s world of murder in lavish locations, but his passion for the detective is as strong as it’s ever been.

“It’s not because I’m sick of making these, actually. After this experience, I feel really energized, so… I don’t know, as long as it’s fun, as long as you guys keep digging them, we’ll come back and keep making them every few years. I’d be happy.”

What Twists Does ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ Hold?

After conducting investigations at the lavish Thrombey estate and the private island mansion of billionaire tech bro Miles Bron, Johnson gave Blanc what could be his most dangerous case yet in Wake Up Dead Man, centered around a small town church. When young new priest Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor) arrives in the community, he finds things unwell in the pews under the fire-and-brimstone-spouting Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin). The charismatic firebrand has a loyal flock hanging on his every word, but the entire town is soon rocked to its core by his murder, committed under seemingly impossible circumstances. Vexed by the case, police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis) calls in Blanc to make sense of the situation, forcing him to confront the town’s darker side and find a lead with seemingly no suspect to look into.

Making up the starry ensemble of potential killers this time around are Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church. Like with its predecessors, Johnson has another winner in the eyes of critics, as indicated by a Certified Fresh 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes following the film’s Toronto International Film Festival debut. Collider’s Ross Bonaime gave it an eight in his review, praising Craig’s work as Blanc once again and adding, “Three films in, Johnson continues to surprise and amaze with his ability to craft a masterful tale, one that hits everything we love about this series, while still finding new angles to approach in this world.”

Wake Up Dead Man premieres in select theaters on November 26 before arriving on Netflix on December 12. Stay tuned here at Collider for more on what the future holds for Johnson after wrapping up his murder mystery trilogy.