Production for Knives Out 2 will soon be underway, and the return to the series could be more beneficial for Rian Johnson than a focus on Star Wars. The filmmaker notably directed Star Wars: The Last Jedi before it was announced he was developing a new Star Wars trilogy not connected to the Skywalker saga. While the trilogy is presumably still in the early stages of development, Johnson will be busy focusing on two Knives Out sequels for Netflix.
Before Johnson became a household name with his involvement in one of the biggest franchises in history, he made a name for himself for writing and directing the 2012 sci-fi thriller Looper. Johnson also directed three of Breaking Bad’s most memorable episodes, including the critically acclaimed “Ozymandias.” Johnson’s work on The Last Jedi remains his biggest credit to date, even though the installment was met with backlash from an outspoken group of fans. Shortly after the movie’s release, Johnson moved onto write and direct Knives Out, a whodunit in the vein of Agatha Christie’s classic mysteries.
Knives Out was a bonafide hit in 2019, with fans and critics particularly praising the performance of Daniel Craig as private detective Benoit Blanc. Shortly after the film’s release, Johnson expressed interest in creating sequels before Lionsgate greenlit a sequel. However, Netflix stepped in, acquiring the rights to the franchise while announcing itself as the home for Knives Out 2 and Knives Out 3. The news also stated the first Knives Out sequel would begin filming in June 2021, with Craig officially returning in the central role. Now that production is going in the right direction with the planned sequels; Johnson can fully dive into his recent passion project. This may throw a wrench in his Star Wars trilogy, but that’s probably for the best.
There’s no doubt Johnson’s new Star Wars projects have potential, especially if veering away from the Skywalker saga. That said, working on Knives Out 2 is arguably more freeing since it avoids the confines associated with the established Star Wars franchise. Knives Out was Johnson’s original tale set in a world that’s fully under his control. The same certainly can’t be said with Star Wars attached to the title. Major franchises often included more restraints, resulting in decisions being steered by multiple parties. Johnson could avoid that type of situation by expanding in his own film series.
More than anything, putting focus purely on the Knives Out franchise could pay off because it doesn’t carry any type of controversy. Due to the response with The Last Jedi, any project Johnson is attached to in the world of Star Wars will be divisive. Though a lot of the hate thrown his way was unwarranted, he will never truly escape the controversial views regarding the Star Wars sequel trilogy. On the other hand, Knives Out could lead to a brighter future for the filmmaker, seeing as the first installment was critically acclaimed. That’s not to say Johnson won’t return to Star Wars in the future, but maybe by then, he will have won over some of his harshest critics.
