Netflix reportedly buys two 'Knives Out' sequels for $450 million

According to the sources, Netflix is paying $450 million for the rights to "Knives Out 2" and "Knives Out 3," the next two sequels to the 2019 murder mystery. The films will reunite director Rian Johnson and star Daniel Craig, who worked together on the first detective story and had such an unforgettable collaboration.

Media Rights Capital produced the first "Knives Out." On a $40 million budget, Lionsgate distributed the film, which grossed $311.4 million. Johnson was nominated for an Academy Award for his work on the best original screenplay. MRC had a single-picture deal to produce "Knives Out," negotiated by CAA on behalf of Johnson, his producing partner Ram Bergman, and it's unclear whether they'll return for more.

According to one of the Netflix rivals, the deal's astronomical price tag could include millions in marketing commitments to eventize the film around the world. They also found out that for actors like Craig, pay rises for second and third sequels can be massive, sometimes outstripping entire production budgets. On recent sequels in the James Bond franchise, the actor made more than $20 million.

The first movie was about an eccentric mystery writer who was assassinated in his own house. Then his money-hungry family was being investigated. Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Lakeith Stanfield, and Christopher Plummer were among the all-star cast.

It's unknown if the films would be released in theaters in addition to their Netflix streaming runs.