Daniel Craig has expressed his disappointment with Netflix’s release strategy for the much-anticipated third Knives Out entry. It is no secret that the former 007 actor and director Rian Johnson remain frustrated with the streaming giant for not giving Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery a proper theatrical release. The sequel to the 2019 blockbuster received widespread acclaim from critics and fans alike, but it earned only $13–15 million during its limited one-week theatrical run—a decision made by Netflix that did not sit well with Craig and Johnson.
In an interview with The New Yorker, Craig discussed the release strategy for Knives Out 3 while promoting his upcoming A24 period romantic drama, Queer (directed by Luca Guadagnino). He expressed sadness over the fact that audiences won’t have the opportunity to watch Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery on the big screen.
“It’s a non-effects movie. It did all the things it should have done, and people went to see it. So, of course, it saddens me that people won’t have that experience. Does it anger me? I don’t think I can go that far. But it saddens me. But we’ll see. I have no idea what the plan is for this third one now, so I don’t know.”
The first Knives Out installment grossed over $312 million globally. Its sequel, despite receiving strong critical acclaim, earned only $13–15 million due to Netflix’s controversial release strategy. Currently, it is unclear whether the third installment will receive a theatrical release. If Netflix opts for an exclusive streaming release, it would align with its typical approach, as the streamer is not known for granting wide-scale theatrical releases to its movies. Thus, the chances of Knives Out 3 getting a proper theatrical release appear slim to none.
Reportedly, Daniel Craig openly expressed his frustration with Netflix’s release model for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery in front of the streamer’s CEO, Ted Sarandos, stating, “Your model is f***ed.”
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is set to arrive on Netflix in 2025. It remains to be seen what decision the streamer will make regarding its release, especially in light of the disappointment voiced by both Craig and director Rian Johnson over the handling of Glass Onion. Alongside Craig, the cast will include talents such as Jeremy Renner, Andrew Scott, Mila Kunis, Glenn Close, and more. Stay tuned for further updates.