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Netflix teased fans earlier on Monday with first look photos for the upcoming sequel, Knives Out 2, also known as, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.
The anticipated mystery is set to premiere on the popular streaming site later this year on December 23. The movie will also be shown at select theaters, but the date has yet to be announced.
Daniel Craig, 54, will be reprising his role of Detective Benoit Blanc, and will star alongside a new list of actors, such as Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, and Janelle Monae.
New teaser: Netflix released new first look photos of the upcoming film, Knives Out 2, which is set to premiere on the streaming site on December 23
One of the first look photos showcased the leading cast sitting around a long dining table, with an ornate chandelier shining above them. While everyone is seated, Daniel and Edward are seen standing on either end of the table.
The second teaser snap showed a behind the scenes look of writer and director, Rian Johnson talking to Janelle before shooting a scene with a stunning background.
According to Netflix’s Tudum website, the premise of the new film is, ‘When a tech billionaire Miles Bron, played by Edward Norton, invites some of his nearest and dearest for a getaway on his private Greek island, it soon becomes clear that all is not perfect in paradise.’
Daniel’s character, Detective Blanc, will then have a new mystery on his hands to solve.
Netflix also dropped the teaser photos and premiere date on the company’s main social media pages, adding the caption, ‘Nothing brings friends together like a killer dinner party.’
Exciting: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is a sequel to the critically acclaimed 2019 film, Knives Out, which starred not only Daniel Craig, but also Chris Evans and Ana de Armas
During a newly released interview with Tudum on Monday, Rian opened up about his casting choices and the inspiration behind the title of the sequel.
He compared casting for the film to ‘throwing a dinner party.’ The talented director added, ‘You try and invite people that you like. But the reality is you never know.’
‘At the end of the day, just trying to get the best actors in each part, the actors that are most right for each individual part. So, you also just throw the dice and hold your breath. Luckily, we got a great group that really meshed.’
The talented star talked about the number of inspirations for the second film’s premise, which included Agatha Christie and The Last Of Sheila (1973).
‘There are absolutely some very clear inspirations that I took from it. First of all, it’s structured around a group of friends, or frenemies, who all have a power dynamic with one of their successful friends.’
‘It begins with him sending an invitation for them to come and play this murder mystery game at this exotic locale. In The Last Of Sheila, it’s on his yacht, and everything ends up going horribly wrong. That is essentially how Glass Onion begins.’
Reprising his role: The James Bond actor will be stepping back into the shoes of the character Detective Benoit Blanc; sneak peak look released on August 3
Original: The first film in the franchise was released in 2019 and garnered critical acclaim, receiving both Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations
The filmmaker revealed that Daniel’s character will have a larger role in the central storyline in the upcoming sequel.
He explained that Ana de Armas’s character in Knives Out (2019) was the main protagonist. ‘Whereas, in this one, Blanc gets an invitation to come to this murder mystery on this island. We’re very much meeting these people and getting into this world through his eyes.’
The second film is titled Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and Rian admitted that a Beatles song was the main inspiration to the name.
‘So, the idea of glass came to me, something that’s clear,’ he explained. ‘I’ll be very honest. I literally got out my iPhone and searched my music library with the word ‘glass.’
‘The first thing that came up, because I’m a huge Beatles fan, is ‘Glass Onion,’ he concluded.
Critically acclaimed: Knives Out (2019) became a successful hit after its premiere and theatrical release; Daniel and Ana in a scene from the movie
Netflix deal: Following the success of the fist film, the streaming site bought the rights for two sequels with Daniel Craig for $469 million
Knives Out (2019) followed Daniel’s character attempting to solve the mysterious death of a wealthy patriarch after celebrating his 85th birthday at an estate in Massachusetts.
Other cast members included Jamie Lee Curtis, Christopher Plummer, Chris Evans, and Ana de Armas.
After the film’s premiere and theatrical release, the production received global critical acclaim for all aspects of the movie.
Knives Out received an Academy award nomination for Best Screenplay, along with three Golden Globe nominations. On a budget of $40 million, the mystery garnered around $311.4 million in the box office worldwide.
Last year, Netflix paid a total of $469 million for the rights of two additional sequels in the successful franchise, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Talented: Daniel is known not only for his role in the Knives Out franchise, but for starring as James Bond; pictured earlier this year in April in New York City