While we await word on the future of Bond 25, Daniel Craig has a new project for the interim. Deadline has reported he will be starring in Knives Out, a murder mystery from Star Wars: The Last Jedi’s Rian Johnson and producer Ram Bergman, whom he has collaborated with on several films.. The film is expected to receive heavy bidding from distributors over the Toronto International Film Festival, which begins on Thursday.
Knives Out described as a modern day murder mystery in the classic whodunit style, infused with Johnson’s original voice that informed films from Brick to Looper. It will be influenced by author Agatha Christie’s mysteries, such as Murder on the Orient Express and Death of the Nile. Johnson himself is an avid fan of Christie’s works and began writing this contemporary locked door mansion murder mystery over the summer. He has also been a fan of Craig and when Danny Boyle dropped out of Bond 25, causing the film’s production to be pushed back, it created an opening for him to pursue Craig for the film.
“I have been a huge fan and always wanted to work with him and as I worked on the script, trying to get it right, Ram and I were wringing our hands over who could be the detective,” Johnson said. “Then, serendipitously, we heard Daniel might have a small window, and it worked out. He’s an actor of extraordinary range, and we are looking forward to the fun of finding that modern detective, and collaborating with Daniel on creating a new Poirot.”
“Glen [Basner of CAA Media Finance and FilmNation] sold all of Rian’s movies with the exception of Star Wars,” Bergman said. “We went to Cannes withLooper and watched it sell very well. This is a different time in the business, but we are excited to come in as the financiers and producers. Our priority is to find the best distributor in each territory, and to spend time with the buyers figuring out what’s best for the film.”
We’ll have to wait and see who picks the film up over TIFF, but it is expected to go into production shortly after with a lead star and completed script already.
