The title of Knives Out 3 has finally been revealed as Wake Up Dead Man. Netflix released an announcement trailer on Friday, May 24, 2024, that provided little details on the upcoming Knives Out 3 movie other than the reveal of the title. Daniel Craig will once again return as the charismatic protagonist Benoit Blanc as part of Rian Johnson’s two-sequel deal with Netflix following 2020’s Knives Out follow-up Glass Onion.

Johnson took to X (Twitter) to announce the start of production on Knives Out 3 before the release of the title trailer on Friday. He wrote, “We’re about to go into production on the 3rd one, and I’m very, very excited to share the title, which gives a little hint of where it’s going.” The brief teaser briefly recapped the previous two installments before a black coffin twirls into frame and the title Wake Up Dead Man is revealed, leaving viewers to wonder what the title could possibly mean.

What Knives Out 3’s Title Wake Up Dead Man Means

The title shares the name of a U2 song

While as of May 2024 the meaning of Wake Up Dead Man’s title is limited to speculation, it does appear to be a reference to a popular song of the same name by the internationally known rock band U2. Commonly regarded as one of the band’s most controversial and off-kilter songs due to its stark religious subject matter, “Wake Up Dead Man” was the final song on the band’s 1997 album titled Pop. In it, U2’s lead vocalist Bono sings to Jesus Christ and essentially asks for guidance and direction.

The only other major clue offered in the brief title announcement trailer is the aforementioned twirling black coffin, which is a pretty clear indication that the film is centered around someone’s death, as per usual. The deceased is likely a man and should kick off the ensuing murder mystery that requires the immediate attention and investigative intuitions of Craig’s Benoit Blanc. If the reference is based on the U2 song, then there could be some religious themes in Wake Up Dead Man, or the deceased man could be seen as a larger-than-life figure whose absence leaves the rest of the cast astray.

Is Knives Out 3 About Someone Returning From The Dead?

Other characters might try to bring the deceased back to life

Another fun possible implication of Wake Up Dead Man is the addition of supernatural or even horror themes in the Knives Out franchise. The death of a powerful or otherwise significant man could send shockwaves through the lives of a certain group of people who collectively have vested interests in keeping him alive. There could be some type of elaborate twist that the dead man isn’t actually dead or is somehow brought back to life. These concepts, mixed with the religious themes of the U2 song, already set an intriguing premise for Knives Out 3 based on the title alone.