Netflix Buys “Knives Out” Sequels for $450 Million
Netflix Buys “Knives Out” Sequels for $450 Million
Netflix is splashing out $450 million on the sequels to the 2019 film Knives Out. The deal includes the next two sequels, set to be directed by Rian Johnson, starring Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc. Knives Out 2 is set to start filming this June in Greece.
The deal gives Netflix an Original Film Series in their catalogue, one that already has people eagerly awaiting the new sequels. This one of the biggest deals in history for rights to a film series. Netflix has presumably taken this move to increase their offerings as competitors like Disney+ and HBOMax continue to grow overwhelmingly.
The 2019 murder-mystery was directed by Rian Johnson, he also wrote the Oscar-nominated Screenplay. It was a critical and commercial hit, earning over $310 million at the box office on a $40 million budget. It was produced by Media Rights Capital, distributed by Lionsgate. It’s not clear who benefits from the deal, as MRC is said by sources to have acquired the rights to the material from Johnson and producing partner Ram Bergman.
Craig will return in his role as Private Detective Benoit Blanc. The films will give Craig a new franchise to star in as he leaves the role of James Bond in the upcoming No Time To Die.
The original film focused on a mystery writer who is murdered in his house and his money-grabbing family is soon under suspicion. The cast included Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Lakeith Stanfield, and Christopher Plummer.
