Rian Johnson says 'Knives Out 3' was 'hard to write'
What's the story
Rian Johnson, the acclaimed director of the Knives Out franchise, has revealed that he was in a "dark place" while writing Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. The third film in the series, set to release on Netflix on December 12, delves into themes of religion and belief. At a New York screening, Johnson expressed his desire for this installment to be more grounded and personal than its predecessor, Glass Onion.
Personal touch
Johnson's personal struggles influenced 'Knives Out' finale
Johnson told The Straits Times, "I grew up very Christian and I'm not a believer anymore." "My relationship with Christ shaped my identity when I was young, so today my feelings about it are very deep and complicated." "This was a very hard script to write because I was aiming to take this thing that I have deep but conflicted feelings about, and try and represent all the different sides of myself in the characters."
Actor's influence
Daniel Craig's role in shaping 'Knives Out' finale
Daniel Craig, who plays detective Benoit Blanc, also had a significant impact on the film's direction. Craig said, "There's a journey for him [Blanc] in this movie that I don't think exists in the first two, and I think that was probably the key." The film also stars Josh O'Connor, Josh Brolin, and Andrew Scott, among others.