(Credits: Lionsgate / Netflix)

After the release of Glass Onion, the second instalment to the Knives Out series, actor Daniel Craig expressed his disappointment at the film not having a theatrical release, with the film only being distributed in cinemas for one week.

With the announcement of the third film in the franchise, titled Wake Up Dead Man, Craig has expressed his hope for a theatrical release.  

When asked in a new interview if he’d like a longer theatrical release period for Wake Up Dead Man compared to Glass Onion, he replied, “Yes, I do. I hope Netflix will extend the release so more people can watch it in cinemas. Fans I talk to just want to take their families to see it on the big screen. Hopefully, we can make that happen for them. 

The first Knives Out movie, which was released in 2019, was hugely critically and commercially successful, earning over $300 million worldwide and an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for writer director Rian Johnson. After the success of the first film, Netflix offered an exclusive deal to the filmmaker for two sequels, but largely ran the second film on their site, with a very small screening period in cinemas.

However, despite how small the theatrical release of Glass Onions was, it was still the streaming service’s largest theatre release to date, partnering with 600 cinemas. Many people have questioned the Netflix business model, with people wanting to see new films such as Hit Man directed by Richard Linklater and The Killer directed by David Fincher on the big screen, criticising their reluctance to keep up with the demands of their consumers.

While this model thrived during the pandemic era when people were confined to their homes, people no longer want to only have the option to watch certain releases at home. As well as this, certain filmmakers are voicing their unease at their films only being available for streaming, agreeing to work with Netflix for the creative freedom they pose but with the work being limited in the way it is shared.

Netflix’s reluctance to theatrically distribute new films has also been questioned with the announcement that Greta Gerwig will direct an adaptation of Narnia for the streaming service. As one of the most popular and in-demand directors in the world, many fans are hoping that Netflix will use this to their full advantage and screen the film in theatres and hopefully update their current streaming model to suit the changing cinematic landscape.

With popular actors such as Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington and Cailee Spaeny being cast in the upcoming instalment to the franchise, it seems like perfect opportunity for Netflix to take a risk and share the film in cinemas, with a number of fans who would pay to see it in theatres.

The plot details of the film are being kept under wraps, but filming has already begun on the production, with it set to release in 2025.