Netflix paid $469 million for two sequels of the murder mystery, Knives Out. A huge slice of that money will go to the lead actor, Daniel Craig.
Craig and director Rian Johnson are reportedly getting $100 million each to make the sequels, which will stream exclusively on Netflix. A Hollywood insider admitted, (quote) “Yes, it’s overpaying, but Netflix is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. It takes a proven theatrical commodity off the board and puts it in their pocket.”
Netflix gave Rian Johnson complete creative control. In return, they ensured that Daniel Craig stars as the wily Southern detective, Benoit Blanc. Also, the budget for the sequels must equal or exceed the original’s $40 million.
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