Knives Out 3 director Rian Johnson has cleared up some confusion regarding Jeremy Renner’s role in the upcoming threequel.
Filming is currently underway on Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the third film in Johnson’s acclaimed whodunit franchise, which will see Daniel Craig return as iconic detective Benoit Blanc alongside a new all-star cast.
While Renner technically made an appearance in Glass Onion, where his face was plastered on a fictional brand of hot sauce named 'Renning Hot', Johnson has confirmed that the Marvel star will take on a "proper part" this time around.
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"Jeremy’s a great actor who I’ve wanted to work with for a long time," the filmmaker told Tudum.
"I was very relieved he thought the hot sauce thing was funny! He’s playing a proper part in this one, we’ll keep the sauce off-screen. Maybe we’ll sneak a few bottles onto the catering table."
Wake Up Dead Man marks Renner's first film role since his snowplough accident in January 2023, where he suffered major blood loss, blunt chest trauma and thirty broken bones.
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Other cast members confirmed to be starring in the third instalment include Josh Brolin, Josh O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Andrew Scott, Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Mila Kunis, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church.
Johnson unveiled a first look at the movie yesterday to mark the beginning of filming, with the photo showing Craig’s character Benoit sporting a longer hairstyle to what we're used to.
"Aaaaand we're off! Today is day 1 of shooting on the next Benoit Blanc mystery 'Wake Up Dead Man' - see you on the other side," Johnson wrote.
While a synopsis for the film hasn't been announced yet, it was teased that it will feature Benoit's "most dangerous case yet".
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is due to be released in 2025.
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Social Executive, Entertainment Portfolio After completing her joint honours degree in Journalism and English Literature at Cardiff University, Iona joined Digital Spy as a Content Production Intern in 2022, where she wrote across both news and features, specialising in TV and movies. Following her internship, Iona continued contributing to the site as a freelance reporter, becoming social executive for the Hearst UK entertainment portfolio in summer 2025. Iona now leads the DS social channels, covering red carpets with stars such as Paul Mescal, Austin Butler, and more.
