London Film Festival opens with Daniel Craig’s 3rd ‘Knives Out’ movie

The London Film Festival has officially kicked off, and what better way to start than with the highly anticipated third installment of the *Knives Out* series? Daniel Craig returns as the beloved Detective Benoit Blanc in *Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery*, launching 12 days of cinematic excitement, red carpet glamor, and insightful discussions featuring industry heavyweights.

Craig was joined on the red carpet by an impressive ensemble cast, including Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, and Mila Kunis. This latest whodunit promises a departure from its predecessors, *Knives Out* (2019) and *Glass Onion* (2022), by embracing a noticeably more gothic and darker tone. The plot centers on the murder of small-town priest Monsignor Wicks, played by Brolin, leading to a hunt for the killer among his own parishioners. Other notable cast members include Josh O’Connor, Jeremy Renner, Daryl McCormack, and Cailee Spaeny.

Speaking about the franchise, Craig emphasized the intention for each film to be a unique, standalone experience with its own distinct flavor. He also candidly shared his enthusiasm for reprising the role, stating he "wouldn’t do it unless I had fun doing it." Director Rian Johnson revealed that discussions for *Wake Up Dead Man* began almost immediately after *Glass Onion* premiered at the same festival. Johnson shared his vision for a "more grounded" approach this time, aiming to deliver a film that remains "funny, entertaining, and a really fun ride for audiences" despite the tonal shift.

The 69th BFI London Film Festival is set to showcase an impressive lineup of 247 titles. Beyond the *Knives Out* premiere, film enthusiasts can look forward to appearances from stars like George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Paul Mescal, presenting their upcoming projects *Jay Kelly*, *After the Hunt*, and *Hamnet*, respectively. Other highly anticipated screenings include Guillermo del Toro’s *Frankenstein*, Emma Stone's newest collaboration with Yorgos Lanthimos titled *Bugonia*, and *Anemone*, notable for marking Daniel Day-Lewis' return from retirement for his son's directorial debut. Esteemed figures like Lanthimos, Day-Lewis, and Chloe Zhao are also slated to participate in special talks, offering insights into their distinguished careers and creative processes.

Emphasizing diversity and global representation, organizers have announced that 42% of this year's programmed works were crafted by female or nonbinary filmmakers. Kristy Matheson, the London Film Festival Director, articulated this vision, stating, "We really want the program to reflect the city that we’re in so we’re really looking for an enormous geographic diversity and we’re also just looking for the program to represent the world around us." This commitment ensures a rich, varied tapestry of storytelling for audiences, with the festival continuing its exciting run until October 19.