Here’s Rian Johnson, once again voicing frustration that his new movie, “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” won’t be playing “everywhere” when it hits theaters next week.
The director aired his discontent on X Thursday after sharing the film’s website with fans, noting it was “the best way to find if there’s a theater near you playing ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ when it opens 11/26.”
“For those asking, sadly AMC would not play the movie, it’s going to be Landmark, Alamo and other chains,” he added. “And it can absolutely stay in theaters after the 12/12 Netflix drop if there’s demand – it’s up to the theaters to decide.”
I’m as frustrated as you that it’s not everywhere, but new theaters will be added so keep checking — and also, if you’re inclined, it wouldn’t hurt to contact the manager of your local theater and (politely!) ask them if it’s coming.
The third “Knives Out” film will play in select theaters starting Nov. 26, just in time for Thanksgiving, before arriving on Netflix on Dec. 12.
Back in August, Empire City Box Office reported that Netflix was significantly scaling back its “Wake Up Dead Man” rollout. No box office grosses will be reported as Netflix’s relationship with the “Knives Out” series nears its end.
In April 2021, Netflix shocked the film world when it announced it had bought the rights to two “Knives Out” sequels from Johnson in a deal worth a reported $400 million. That deal expires after the release of “Wake Up Dead Man,” and chances are Johnson won’t want to come back for more.
Three years ago, Netflix gave “Glass Onion” a two-week limited theatrical run on roughly 700 screens. According to Deadline, the sequel could have earned up to $600 million worldwide if it had received a standard release.
A recent report had Johnson and his “Knives Out” star Daniel Craig “not happy” with Netflix’s “business model,” their frustration directed at how “Glass Onion” was denied a broader theatrical run.
If Johnson wants to stop complaining, maybe he shouldn’t re-up his “Knives Out” deal with Netflix and should simply take “Knives Out 4” elsewhere. He knew exactly what he was getting into when he signed with Netflix. Regardless of the rave reviews for “Wake Up Dead Man,” Netflix is not in the theatrical business — and after giving him $400 million, they don’t particularly care what Johnson wants.
Warner Bros. now appears to be the leading rumored contender to pick up the “Knives Out” franchise, likely at a far more modest price tag than the staggering figure Netflix paid. The chatter has only intensified following news that HBO was eyeing Johnson’s canceled Peacock series “Poker Face,” a move some saw as a low-cost way to position themselves favorably in the “Knives Out” sweepstakes.