More blades keep getting added to the call sheet for Netflix andRian Johnson’shighly anticipated murder mystery film,Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.Now,Thomas Haden Churchwill be joining the cast of the film, according toTheWrap, adding to an already stacked ensemble that is sure to draw audiences into the third installment of Johnson’sKnives Outseries, which will once again starDaniel Craigas the charming Southern detective Benoit Blanc.
Church’s role in the film remains a mystery, an unsurprising fact given that pretty much everything else aboutWake Up Dead Manis under wraps too. But Church is joining one of the most stacked casts in recent memory; beyond Craig,Josh O’ConnorandCailee Spaenywere the first major names to be added to the cast. This was followed up by the additions ofAndrew Scott,Kerry Washington, Glenn Close,Josh Brolin, Jeremy Renner,Mila Kunis,andDaryl McCormack.More names are likely on the way given that the first two films,Knives OutandGlass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,also had hugely packed casts.
The first two films, directed by Johnson, were highly lauded, so it will surely make fans happy that he isreturning to the director’s chairforWake Up Dead Man.Johnson is directing from a self-written script and is producing the film alongside his longtime producing partner,Ram Bergman,for their T-Street Productions banner.
Church Is a Well-Known Film Actor and Marvel Villain
Church has become a highly acclaimed actor over the years, garnering an Academy Award nomination for his role in the 2004 filmSideways.To most mainstream audiences, though, Church is likely best known for his role as the villainous Sandman in a pair ofSpider-Manfilms. He first appeared as the web-slinger’s enemy oppositeTobey Maguirein Sony Pictures’Spider-Man 3in 2007, where his Sandman was simply trying to find a cure for his sick daughter. Churchwould reprise his role- and enter the MCU - in 2021’sSpider-Man: No Way Home,rejoining Maguire as an alternate universe Spider-Man 14 years after they last shared the screen. Beyond this, Church is also known for roles in films likeEasy AandWe Bought a Zoo.He recently starred in Peacock’sTwisted Metalseriesand will have a role inKevin Costner’supcoming Western film anthologyHorizon: An American Saga.
Given his role as Sandman, it would be easy to see Chruch as a villain inWake Up Dead Man,but this remains to be seen. However, the first two films became cultural mainstays when they were released, and there’s a good chance this happens again given the stacked cast of Johnson’s threequel. The first film in the series, released by Lionsgate, earned more than $300 million at the global box office, prompting Netflix to ink amassive $450 million dealwith Johnson for two more films.
Wake Up Dead Manwill be released in 2025. The prior film in the series,Glass Onion,is streaming on Netflix now.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Watch on Netflix
