Rian Johnson has hinted at Knives Out 4 with Daniel Craig and hopes to cast Meryl Streep. Wake Up Dead Man will arrive in 2025 before the next mystery begins.
If there’s one thing Rian Johnson has shown us these past few years, it’s that the whodunit isn’t defunct but it simply needed a new wardrobe. The Knives Out series has blossomed from a sleeper success into a cultural juggernaut, the quintessential cinematic comfort food for a generation exhausted by CGI superheroes. But now as we’re about to do the third, Wake Up Dead Man (in late 2025), the conversation is already shifting to the future. And that future has a name: Meryl Streep.
Rian Johnson tends to keep things close to the vest. He is notoriously not in possession of “wish lists” of actors, instead allowing the script to determine the casting. However, he has just broken his own rule in an interview with IndieWire, revealing that Meryl Streep for a future mystery is the one and only person he wants.
“I feel like you’d slot into a murder mystery very well,”
–Johnson said
Addressing the screen legend, It’s a match made in cinematic heaven. The Knives Out world is very much about tone, a sort of heightened reality where camp has real emotion. Streep is the unchallenged sovereign of this discrepancy. From the grotesque comedy of Death Becomes Her to the icy satire of The Devil Wears Prada, she can portray a matriarchal antagonist or a flustered intellectual counterpoint to Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc.
The campaign to get her is already in-house. Kerry Washington, star of the soon to Wake Up Dead Man, has gone public with her intention to “encourage” her former co-star to come aboard. In Hollywood, that sort of peer-to-peer validation is often what seals the deal.
Part of the brilliance of the Knives Out approach is its ”revolving door” policy. Except for the immaculately clad Benoit Blanc, no one makes it to the sequel. This “literary hex” format eliminates the “Cabot Cove Syndrome” (“where murder just keeps following one person around”) and keeps the storyline fresh.
According to Variety, This setup has come to serve as the franchise’s secret weapon in recruiting. It’s easy to see Streep, one of the finest actresses of her generation, expressing hesitation about signing a six-movie deal for a Marvel franchise, but a “one-and-done” invitation to play a quirky suspect in a glamorous location? That’s an easy yes. It gives Johnson the ability to book “Avengers-level” casts in what are basically mid-budget conversations in rooms.
“Daniel and I make these films as partners. The moment either of us feels even a little unsure, we’ll stop.
—Johnson said.
We have the 2025 release to work through before any Streep dreams. Wake Up Dead Man will move the satirical focus from the tech disruptors of Glass Onion to religious organizations. With a cast that includes Josh Brolin, Andrew Scott, and the legendary Glenn Close, the film appears to be trying out working with Hollywood royalty—perhaps a dry run for the “Streep Proposition.”
But the most intriguing twist may emerge behind the scenes. The massive $450 million four-picture deal Johnson inked with Netflix officially ends with this third film. This makes Knives Out 4 a “free agent.”
Johnson has spoken openly about his preference for the theatrical experience, and with the rights possibly coming available, we may get a huge bidding war among streamers and traditional studios. This grants Johnson and Daniel Craig extraordinary leverage. If they want to get Meryl Streep to the movie, not just the television movie, they can insist on a full theatrical run as a prerequisite for the next film.
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Asking for Meryl Streep in Knives Out now means the game is no longer a hit series, it’s trying to become a cinematic institution. In the age when franchise and reboots rule the roost, this franchise is the last holdout of the “adult blockbuster”—films that are propelled by dialogue, character and wit rather than explosions.
“When it’s all said and done, you make the movie and you just can’t see anybody else playing that role.”
—Johnson said.
Rian Johnson’s vision of Knives Out is constantly changing and deepening, and with the chance of Meryl Streep joining Daniel Craig in another film round, the franchise is moving closer to become a trip-holiday cinematic tradition. The stage is set for bigger names, bigger bids and an even grander reinvention of the modern whodunit with Wake Up Dead Man coming in 2025 and the fourth film currently in “free agent” limbo. If Streep makes her way into this world, it wouldn’t just be casting — it’d be history.
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Elizabeth Olsen confirms her Marvel return but skips Avengers: Doomsday & Secret Wars. Find out the truth behind Scarlet Witch’s MCU future and new FX project!
Yes, Elizabeth Olsen is confirmed to return in the MCU.If you’re concerned that Elizabeth Olsen won’t make a return as Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, rest assured: she is. Although Hollywood is currently on a bit of a break, Deadline shared that Hamptons International Film Festival has been in full swing, providing sneak previews of what’s ahead, and with it, the talent to bring light to their projects and comment on them. She added, “These movies really aren’t made for critics, these movies are made for fans,” and said she is very excited about doing“ character story lines from the comics that people have wanted to see characters do.”
While she was open to coming back, Olsen has officially said she will not be in the next Avengers movies. In March 2025, she said to The Hollywood Reporter: “No, I’m back. I’ve just finished. I’m off to shoot a pilot for FX [Seven Sisters]”. A schedule conflict rules her out for both Avengers: Doomsday (May 1, 2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (May 7, 2027).
Liz or Marvel Haven’t “Cast Her Out” – This is more about Elizabeth Olsen’s personal artistic choices and schedule conflicts. Olsen said: “I had no idea until about six years ago, but because Marvel and its power occupies so much space and time in the world, it is really important for me to make choices outside of Marvel that align with my taste”. She stressed that she wants to explore her artistic identity outside of the Marvel universe.
Olsen’s remarks show her yearning to have creative flexibility while still being a part of the MCU. She had earlier said that Marvel has given her ‘some feeling of insurance in my life that has given me freedom to choose other jobs’. Her response has been: “I never really had the attitude that “one for them, one for me.” Marvel has been such a solid thing I’ve been able to go back to”.
Olsen has also returned to voice Scarlet Witch, in the animated series Marvel Zombies on Disney+ on September 24, 2025 but was not in any live-action films. The four-episode series include other MCU actors who also play versions of themselves in a zombie apocalypse story. But she said these voice sessions were recorded years ago, Forbes shared.
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Marvel has now said that Wanda Maximoff did die in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The official MCU timeline book says she “ destroys Wundagore and buries it under herself, eliminating two major threats to the entire Multiverse”. But death is seldom permanent in the comics and superhero stories generally, particularly for major characters like Scarlet Witch.
Olsen is currently concentrating on the FX pilot Seven Sisters, reuniting her with Martha Marcy May Marlene helmer Sean Durkin. The story follows a family that falls apart when one sister (Olsen) starts hearing voices that nobody else can.
In a future that marvel fans call the multiverse, insider Alex Perez has implied that Elizabeth Olsen is going to continue to play Scarlet Witch post Marvels secret mcu reset following Avengers: Secret Wars. This suggests that even though she might be missing from some of the immediate Avengers movies, there is still a lot of potential for her in the MCU long-term future.
Notably, Olsen has also articulated a particular wish to One story to touch on adapting the House of M comic story arc, I think House of M is just the coolest thing. I feel like it would be so fun to do something with the X-Men or mutants.” This hints at storylines for the future that may well bring her back, particularly as the MCU positions itself to bring in mutants and the X-Men.
Elizabeth Olsen’s door to the MCU is still open and positive. Although hectic scheduling and a wish to pursue other artistic avenues have prevented her from gracing the biggest Avengers films, her openness to return and her continuing involvement with Marvel properties — such as Marvel Zombies — hint that Scarlet Witch’s tale in the MCU isn’t finished.
Eva Green has officially joined The Wednesday Season 3 as Aunt Ophelia Frump, bringing a new look to the series with deep psychological knowledge and a Summer 2027 release.
The fact that Eva Green has been cast as Aunt Ophelia Frump in season three of Netflix’s Wednesday is a huge win in the streaming giant’s content strategy and the growing creative evolution of the Addams Family franchise. The announcement was made official on 25 November 2025 through The Hollywood Reporter, putting an end to months of rampant speculation following the Season 2 cliffhanger.
Green’s addition isn’t just a casting coup, it is a clear shift towards high-stakes psychological horror given her natural and proven working relationship with executive producer Tim Burton and his gothic storytelling roots. It’s about how the popular “Lady Gaga” fan theories are being debunked, the production logistics that indicate a Summer 2027 release, and the deep lore of “Raven” psychics that implies Series 3 will be the franchise’s most intellectually daring outing yet.
The decision to cast Green was accompanied by strong endorsements from the show’s creative leadership. Al Gough and Miles Millar, the creators and showrunners, issued a statement to Tudum that focused on what it is that Green brings to the role — attributes that fit with the show’s developing look and feel.
“Eva Green has always brought an exhilarating, singular presence to the screen — elegant, haunting and beautifully unpredictable, making her the perfect choice for Aunt Ophelia.”
—Al Gough and Miles Millar stated
This is the key quote for understanding what Ophelia is supposed to do. The adjectives “haunting” and “unpredictable” suggest that the character will generate real narrative tension and perhaps menace rather than simply being a quirky relative.
The collaboration marks a reunion between Green and executive producer Tim Burton.Their earlier collaborations on Dark Shadows (2012), Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016) and Dumbo (2019) made Green the definitive “Burton Muse,” who could capture the director’s unique juxtaposition of the macabre and the sympathetic.
Green’s statement on being cast in the role showed a great understanding of the particular tone of the Wednesday universe—a mix of horror and satire.
“I’m excited to be a part of the haplessly warped world of ”Wednesday” as Aunt Ophelia. This is such a wonderfully dark and funny world, I am so excited to add my particular brand of cuckooness to the Addams family.”
—Eva Green said
It suggests a performance that will oscillate between the comedic eccentricity traditional to the Addams Family and the “dark and twisty” depth Green is famous for.
The Wednesday series has dramatically reframed Ophelia, removing all the sitcom levity for gothic tragedy.
The show draws a line between the types of psychic powers: “Doves” (such as Morticia) are gifted with positive, helpful visions, while “Davens” (such as Wednesday) are plagued by violent, bleak and isolating ones.
Ophelia is a confirmed Raven, just like her niece. And this designation is key, meaning that Ophelia’s “madness” is caused by the very same burden that Wednesday is carrying. She is a “Ghost of Christmas Future” for Wednesday—a cautionary tale of what occurs when a Raven goes “to the limit and beyond” with her gifts.
Unlike the 1964 version, Netflix’s Ophelia endured a traumatic past in and out of institutions. The story discloses that she was lobotomized at Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital by her mother, Hester Frump (Joanna Lumley).
The trigger of Ophelia’s return is her journal, in possession of Wednesday, whom Morticia entrusts with it as a sign of trust. That object acts as a device, and the two women, aunt and niece (Wednesday) across time while having a vision.
According to Movieweb, The need to cast Green is so urgent because of the explosive final moments of Season 2, Ophelia (back view) in a red dress, committing “Wednesday must die” in her own blood on the cell wall. The iconic image of the finale—and the teaser for Season 3.
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According to Collider, Ophelia’s statement that “Wednesday must die” makes her an immediate danger. However, given the “Raven” aspect of her abilities, she could be seeing a future in which Wednesday turns into a means to an end for potential global destruction, and her trying to kill him is a very warped form of heroism. Or, she could be affected by the madness brought on by her captivity.
Ophelia is more than a psychic threat, “blood on the wall” evokes a bodily threat and Wednesday has never been confronted by a relative in such a fashion.
The typical post-production schedule of 12 to 14 months for a show that relies heavily on VFX (with werewolves, hydes, and disembodied hands), Season 3’s estimated release is Summer 2027.
Hester (Joanna Lumley) is unmasked as a cold-blooded pragmatist who locked up her own child. In Season 3, Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Wednesday face off with Hester, contesting the family pecking order.
Morticia is the “Dove” that survived by assimilating (somewhat), Ophelia is the “Raven” that was shattered. Green and Zeta-Jones together on screen is one hell of a clash of acting titans as they interrogate the guilt Morticia feels over her sister’s fate.
The choice of Eva Green to play Wednesday op indicates a clear rise in Wednesday’s franchise potential. In signing an actress of Green’s calibre – who is very much a face for the ‘gothic prestige’ genre – Netflix is making sure that season three has the dramatic heft to match the global phenomenon that the first two seasons have become.
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