Jeremy Renner, the renowned actor known for his role as Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has drawn an intriguing comparison between his upcoming film, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, and a Marvel production. During a recent appearance on the podcast Happy Sad Confused, Renner humorously remarked that he likens the film to an MCU project because he is unsure of what he actually did in it.
At 54 years old, Renner has been a staple of the MCU since 2011, starting with his appearance in Thor and most recently featuring in the Disney+ series Hawkeye in 2021. His candid admission about feeling lost during the filming of Wake Up Dead Man was both amusing and relatable, as he stated, "Really excited to - I want to see ... I'm just excited to see. It's because I have no idea. It's like a Marvel movie, really, because I don't know what the heck I did."
The upcoming film marks the third installment in the Knives Out series, directed by Rian Johnson, who has gained acclaim for his unique storytelling style. Renner expressed his admiration for Johnson, saying, "I don't know. He's such an interesting guy, Rian. He's such a great, smart dude. Way too nice for that too. And it's a guy - nothing ruffles his feathers. That was the exciting part of being able to do it, right? It was the main reason to do that. And obviously work with Rian. And what a great blessing, dude."
Joining Renner in Wake Up Dead Man is a star-studded cast that includes Daniel Craig, who reprises his role as detective Benoit Blanc, alongside Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Cailee Spaeny, Glenn Close, and Andrew Scott. Brolin, who is also known for his role as the villain Thanos in the MCU, previously shared that he will portray a priest in the film. In an interview with Total Film, he humorously noted, "I'm playing a priest. My wife reminded me ... She said, 'Do you remember a year ago you said that you wanted to play a priest? It's like you manifest this s***.'"
As excitement builds for the film, Johnson has hinted at the potential for more installments in the Knives Out series. He stated, "I'm open to making more movies as long as Daniel still wants to keep doing it." This sentiment reflects the collaborative spirit that has defined the series, with Johnson emphasizing the importance of having a fresh and exciting concept for any future films. He explained, "As long as we have an idea that, to us, feels not just like cranking another one out, but feels genuinely exciting and scary like, 'Oh, wow, could we pull that off?'"
Johnson, who also directed Star Wars: The Last Jedi, expressed his deep affection for the mystery genre, describing it as "endlessly malleable" and full of possibilities. However, he also hinted that his next project might venture outside the mystery realm, stating, "I don't feel burnt out on it at all, but the next thing I have in my head to write is an original that's not a mystery at all."
In discussing Wake Up Dead Man, Johnson noted that it will be distinctly different from its predecessor, Glass Onion. He remarked, "Wake Up Dead Man, this next movie, is so different from Glass Onion. It's like night and day. And so, as long as we keep doing that, it's exciting." This promise of innovation and evolution within the series continues to pique the interest of fans and critics alike.
As the release date approaches, anticipation is mounting for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, with audiences eager to see how Renner's unique contributions and Johnson's direction will unfold. The film encapsulates a blend of mystery, humor, and star power, ensuring that it will be a notable addition to the cinematic landscape.
Published on May 9, 2025, this film promises to deliver not just a continuation of the Knives Out saga but also a fresh take that could redefine expectations for sequels in the genre. With a talented cast and a visionary director at the helm, Wake Up Dead Man is set to captivate viewers and leave them guessing until the very end.
