Rian Johnson, writer and director of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, expressed his delight Netflix is giving a theatrical release, including one week of exclusivity, in the US and UK in November, at the press conference ahead of the film’s gala screening to close the BFI London Film Festival on Sunday.
“I am thrilled that Netflix has made this deal for a theatrical [release] in November,” Johnson said.
Knives Out, Johnson’s first film in the franchise, was released theatrically by eOne around the world in 2019. Netflix went to sign a $450m deal to produce two sequels, the first of which is Glass Onion.
Noting the move to streaming had no creative effect on the script, which was complete prior to the deal, Johnson remarked: “I love people watching it at home.” But he added that he is pleased audiences will be able to “see it with a crowd. I’m really grateful Netflix has stepped up, and we’re doing a version on that.”
Star Kate Hudson recalled the experience of watching the film with an audience of 1,500 at its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last month: “The collective experience of watching for this movie was just dreamy…you can feel the energy of people wanting to laugh together and go on that ride together.”
Other cast members at the conference included Daniel Craig, Janelle Monáe, Edward Norton, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr, Dave Bautista, Madelyn Cline and Jessica Henwick.
Norton said Johnson had made a murder mystery pertinent to present day. “What’s delicious about what Rian’s done with this [genre] is that you can see the times you’re living in, see the holes in the puffed up characters around us but even in ourselves.”
Johnson explained: “This whole thing stems from my love of Agatha Christie, and she was innovating with every new book…The trick with these movies is to make sure there’s a narrative engine so that there’s not a puzzle but a ride. These films are rollercoaster rides, not crossword puzzles, because first and foremost our objective is to give the audience a damn good time.”
Craig paid tribute to the late Angela Lansbury who has a small role in the film: “The fact that she’s in our movie, we were so blessed, and what an incredible life she had.”
No comments yet