Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is the third installment in Rian Johnson’s acclaimed Knives Out franchise. Set for release on December 12, 2025, via Netflix, the film once again follows the brilliant detective Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, as he takes on what’s being described as his “most dangerous case yet.” While plot details remain under wraps, the film boasts a star-studded ensemble including Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church.
Like the previous movies, Knives Out and Glass Onion, the locations where Wake Up Dead Man was filmed were carefully chosen to add atmosphere and mystery to the story. This time, though, most of the filming took place in London and the surrounding areas, using both real-life locations and studios.
WHERE WAS WAKE UP DEAD MAN FILMED?
The movie Wake Up Dead Man was filmed from June 10, 2024, to August 17, 2024. The main filming took place in the UK, with London and Essex playing host to several important scenes that set the mood for Benoit Blanc’s latest case.
WARNER BROS. STUDIOS, LEAVESDEN
A significant portion of the movie was shot on sound stages at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire. The world-class studio has previously hosted major productions like Harry Potter, The Batman, and Fantastic Beasts. For Wake Up Dead Man, the studios provided full control for interior scenes and complex set pieces, with cinematographer Steve Yedlin returning to give the film its signature visual style.
HOLY INNOCENTS CHURCH, HIGH BEECH
Holy Innocents Church in High Beech, which is northeast of London in the Epping Forest District, is one of the most beautiful places to film. The red brick church is tucked away in a dense forest, making it a perfect setting for a murder mystery. The production used both the inside of the church and the grounds around it for important scenes.
BUTLER’S RETREAT, EPPING FOREST
Geograph.org.uk – Butler’s Retreat Photo
Photographer: Nigel Cox – Image available under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Just a short distance from the church, Butler’s Retreat, a historic café and restaurant in Chingford, London, within Epping Forest, also served as a filming location. This old Victorian building gives the movie a touch of old-fashioned charm. Setting adds to the feeling of being alone and suspense, whether it’s a major scene between characters or a small change in the story.
BEHIND-THE-SCENES NOTES
During production, actress Glenn Close faced health challenges, revealing she had been severely affected by both COVID-19 and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) while filming in London. She was only able to film for two days before pausing her involvement. Despite the setback, she expressed enthusiasm about being part of the project and looked forward to continuing her role.
Interestingly, Lindsay Lohan and Tom Hardy were initially in discussions for roles in the film. However, Mila Kunis and Jeremy Renner ultimately joined the final cast.
The title Wake Up Dead Man follows the musical theme of previous titles, this time referencing the U2 song from their 1997 album Pop.
Stay tuned to Netfilming.com for more updates, filming news, and behind-the-scenes.
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