Janelle Monáe Joins Expanding Ensemble for Knives Out 2

(Photo by Jacopo Raule/Getty Images)

Rian Johnson’s Knives Out 2 continues to grow its ensemble cast as Janelle Monáe (Antebellum) has been added to the highly-anticipated sequel, joining Daniel Craig, Dave Bautista, and Edward Norton, according to Deadline. No details have been released regarding Monáe’s role in the murder mystery.

The musician and actress is known for her roles in Hidden Figures, Moonlight, Rio 2, Welcome to Marwen, UglyDolls, Lady and the Tramp, The Glorias, and her most recent projects, the television series Homecoming and the horror drama Antebellum.

Production on the sequel is set to begin this summer in Greece, with Johnson back to write and direct the film, as well as produce alongside Ram Bergman. Daniel Craig will reprise his role as super sleuth Benoit Blanc. It was reported earlier this year that Netflix had acquired the franchise in a $400+ million deal that includes the next two installments.

Knives Out first hit theaters in November 2019 to rave reviews from critics, garnering three Golden Globe nominations and an Oscar nod for Best Original Screenplay, and was a smash hit at the box office, grossing over $311 million at the global box office on its $40 million budget.

Pick up your physical copy of Johnson’s ensemble murder mystery here!

The original film paid tribute to the celebrated works of Agatha Christie, plotting a modern-day murder mystery in which renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate the morning after his 85th birthday, sparking the interest of stylish private detective Benoit Blanc to investigate. Weaving his way through the eccentric Thrombey family and his devoted staff, Blanc must see through the intricate web of lies and red herrings to determine the truth behind Thrombey’s demise.

The ensemble roster for Knives Out was led by Daniel Craig (No Time to Die) as Blanc and Christopher Plummer (All the Money in the World) as Harlan alongside Ana de Armas (Blade Runner 2049), Chris Evans (Avengers: Endgame), Michael Shannon (The Shape of Water), Lakeith Stanfield (Judas and the Black Messiah), Don Johnson (Django Unchained), Katherine Langford (Love, Simon), Toni Collette (Hereditary), Riki Lindhome (Kidding), Edi Patterson (The Righteous Gemstones), Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween), Jaeden Martell (Defending Jacob) and Noah Segan (The Pale Door).