Another day, another couple of castings for Rian Johnson‘s “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.” Deadline reports that Jeremy Renner is the latest to join the expanding ensemble cast, as are Glenn Close and Mila Kunis, whose casting broke late yesterday afternoon. But Renner is the major focus of the cast list now. “Wake Up Dead Man” is the actor’s first major film project since his near-fatal January 2023 snowplow accident, and cements that his career comeback is now in full swing.
Renner and Close join the previously announced Kerry Washington, Josh O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, and Andrew Scott in the film’s still-growing ensemble. Oh, and Daniel Craig is back too, of course, as the Southern sleuth Benoit Blanc. Johnson writes and directs “Wake Up Dead Man,” as he did for 2019’s “Knives Out” and 2022’s “Glass Onion.” He also produces the film through his T-Street banner with partner Ram Bergman.
Plot details for the latest “Knives Out” mystery remain unknown, but it’s the second movie in Netflix‘s $450 million deal for two sequels. Like the past two films, “Wake Up Dead Man” gets its title from a pop-rock song, in this case, one from U2‘s 1997 album “Pop.” Production on the film starts next month, with Netflix readying its release for sometime in 2025.
Renner already started his comeback with “Mayor Of Kingstown” Season 3, which premieres on Paramount+ this weekend on June 2. But starring in one of Hollywood’s buzziest franchises drives home that the actor is fully recovered from the injuries he sustained barely a year and a half ago. That’s a remarkable recovery, especially after several surgeries and tons of rehab and physical therapy, so hats off to Mr. Renner. For his sake, let’s hope “Wake Up Dead Man” is the best Benoit Blanc mystery yet.
