Why Knives Out Won’t Replace Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc

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Rian Johnson, the creator of Knives Out, has clarified that the mystery series won’t follow the same pattern as the James Bond films with Daniel Craig. Unlike Bond, where Craig played the role for multiple films, Johnson intends for Benoit Blanc, the detective played by Craig, to investigate different mysteries in each Knives Out movie. The next film in the series is titled Wake Up Dead Man.

In a recent interview with IndieWire, Rian Johnson stated that Daniel Craig will always play the character of Benoit Blanc in the Knives Out series, regardless of where the franchise goes. This is different from Craig’s role as James Bond, which has been played by multiple actors over the years. Johnson explained that the films are a “partnership” between him and Craig, and both are essential for the success of future installments.

IndieWire asked if Benoit Blanc, the detective played by Daniel Craig, is a role that could be recast with a different actor, similar to James Bond. Or, is Blanc more like Indiana Jones – a character uniquely tied to Harrison Ford?

Rian Johnson: He’s Indy. He’s Daniel doing it.

IndieWire: I ask because, obviously, many people have played Hercule Poirot.

Absolutely. Working on these films with Daniel is a true collaboration for me. We’re partners, and if either of us ever loses enthusiasm, we’ll stop making them.

IndieWire: Is it satisfying for you how happy he seems?

Rian Johnson: Oh, God, it’s my favorite thing.

According to IndieWire, he was well-known for being reluctant to reprise the role of James. However, he spoke very highly of Benoit.

As I mentioned, Daniel and I are true collaborators on these projects – we’re in this together. I think we both feel a lot of pressure to deliver something the other one will be proud of, and that makes for a great working relationship. Ultimately, if Daniel is pleased with the result, I’m pleased as well.

Johnson revealed that Daniel Craig was originally his top pick for Blanc, but scheduling conflicts with the James Bond films almost led to another actor being cast. While he didn’t name the other contenders, Johnson said he immediately reached out to Craig as soon as he became available, and Craig happily accepted the role.

When we initially started working on “Knives Out,” Daniel Craig wasn’t free. He was filming the James Bond movies, and he was my top pick for the role, but he simply wasn’t available. We approached other actors, but we received a lot of rejections for the part of Benoit Blanc.

There’s an alternate universe, I’m not going to tell you the people we went to.

As soon as there was a delay with the Bond film and Daniel became available, I immediately jumped at the opportunity – thankfully! I was so relieved Daniel took the role. He read the script and agreed, and we started filming just six weeks later. The entire movie came together very quickly, which was especially helpful with casting. Instead of trying to book actors months in advance and potentially losing them to other projects, we could ask them to come to Boston the following week.

Craig had often said he didn’t enjoy his time making the James Bond films, so many were surprised he agreed to do Knives Out. The movie was a big hit, earning $312.9 million at the box office on a $40 million budget, and quickly became the first in a series. His deal with Netflix resulted in Glass Onion, which received numerous award nominations and wins.

The movie Knives Out is unique because its new installments first appear in cinemas, and the latest one, Wake Up Dead Man, will be available in theaters on November 26th before coming to Netflix on December 12th. A key reason for the franchise’s popularity and success is the ongoing creative partnership between Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman.

Rian Johnson wrote the character of Benoit Blanc specifically for Daniel Craig, making him the only logical choice for the part. Trying to continue the series with a different actor wouldn’t work – Craig’s performance is so central to the films that recasting would fundamentally change them. It’s similar to James Bond, where the actor’s portrayal is key to the franchise’s identity.

Although a fourth Knives Out movie isn’t officially happening yet, director Rian Johnson has said he’ll only make one if Daniel Craig returns. Craig’s portrayal of Benoit Blanc is so strong and definitive that it would be difficult to find another actor to fill the role. He’s essential to the series and will remain a key part of it as long as it continues.

Wake Up Dead Man arrives in theaters on November 26 and arrives on Netflix on December 12.

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2025-11-18 18:31