Netflix Scales Back ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ Theatrical Run Despite Rian Johnson’s Push

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos recently called movie theaters an "outdated concept" during his appearance at the Time100 Summit. It would be an understatement to mention that his viewpoint isn't universally shared among other filmmakers.

Take for example, Rian Johnson, known for creating the hit ‘Knives Out’ movies, and flat-out rejecting Sarandos' remarks, citing his desire to have this year’s ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” get as wide a release as possible.

I want this in as many theaters for as long as possible. We're going to push for everything we can get in terms of theatrical, because I want as many people as possible to see it in that form.

Well, Johnson’s out of luck. Empire City Box Office is reporting that Netflix has significantly scaled back its theatrical plans for Johnson’s “Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man” — a release far smaller than ‘Glass Onion’ back in 2022. No box office grosses will be reported, as Netflix’s relationship with the ‘Knives Out’ series nears its end.

In April 2021, Netflix shook the film world when it announced it had bought the rights to two ‘Knives Out’ sequels from Johnson in a deal worth a reported $400M. That deal is expiring after the release of ‘Wake Up Dead Man,’ and chances are that Johnson won’t want to come back for more.

Three years ago, Netflix gave ‘Glass Onion’ a two-week limited theatrical run, in approximately 700 screens. According to Deadline, the ‘Knives Out’ sequel could have ended up making $600M worldwide if it had been given a normal release.

A recent piece had Johnson, and his ‘Knives Out’ lead Daniel Craig, “not happy” with Netflix’s “business model.” Their ire was aimed directly at the way ‘Glass Onion’ was stripped of a theatrical run.

Turns out, the streamer will not budge either for the follow-up. Netflix will again be throwing away easy money, refusing to support chains and exhibitors, just because they have a “business model.” A world premiere at TIFF has been set up for September.