The Knives Out cast grows more amazing with the addition of Michael Shannon

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Who does Rian Johnson think he is? Quentin Tarantino? The STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI writer/director is busy assembling the cast for his next film, a murder-mystery by the name of KNIVES OUT, and it just keeps on getting better and better as Variety has reported that Michael Shannon (THE SHAPE OF WATER) has signed on. As I'd pay money just to watch Michael Shannon read the damn phone-book, this is very good news indeed.

The murder-mystery was one of the hottest projects to come out of the Toronto International Film Festival, with many distributors bidding on the project before Media Rights Capital walked away as the victor. No studio is attached just yet, but Variety says that MRC will be shopping the package to buyers in the coming weeks. Michael Shannon will be joining Daniel Craig (SPECTRE) and Lakeith Stanfield (SORRY TO BOTHER YOU) in the film, both of whom will be playing detectives, as well as Chris Evans (AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR), whose role hasn't been revealed. It's also not known what type of role Michael Shannon will play, but does it really matter? Rian Johnson, who will be writing and directing the film, has long been a fan of Agatha Christie and it's said that KNIVES OUT will be inspired by those classic whodunits. The director was also quite eager to work with Daniel Craig.

I have been a huge fan and always wanted to work with him and as I worked on the script, trying to get it right, Ram and I were wringing our hands over who could be the detective. Then, serendipitously, we heard Daniel might have a small window, and it worked out. He’s an actor of extraordinary range, and we are looking forward to the fun of finding that modern detective, and collaborating with Daniel on creating a new Poirot.

It's expected that KNIVES OUT will start shooting before the year is out as Daniel Craig has a free spot on his schedule thanks to BOND 25 having been pushed back. As for Michael Shannon, the actor will next be seen in WHAT THEY HAD on October 19, 2018 and also has a leading role as a spy mastermind in AMC's The Little Drummer Girl, a six-part mini-series based upon the novel of the same name by John le Carré. The Little Drummer Boy will kick off on  November 19, 2018.