We’ve all gotten a taste of the murder mystery goodness that Rian Johnson could bring with 2019’s Knives Out. It brought a compelling case coupled with an intricate plot that saw the investigative prowess of Detective Benoit Blanc.
This year, we get another installment in this enigmatic franchise with Glass Onion: A Knives Out Story–a new tale which sees Benoit Blanc putting on his detective cap again, but with a twist.
Directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Ram Bergman, the film stars Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Jessica Henwick, and Madelyn Cline.
In line with the global premiere, we were recently treated to a quick chat with the ensemble cast who shared their experiences on set, cracked a few jokes, and gave us a taste of what to expect.
LOS ANGLES, CA – NOVEMBER 14: (L-R) Director Rian Johnson and Janelle Monáe speak at Netflix “Glass Onion:” A Knives Out Mystery” Press Conference on November 14, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Cr. Eric Charbonneau/Netflix © 2022.
When asked about how things went on set, from beginning to end, Director Rian Johnson explains the challenges alongside the fun everyone had.
“Well, it was, I mean, it was challenging, but it was also, I guess, you know, when Daniel and I were making the first one, even when we were on set, we were just having such a good time.”
“I mean, just my head spins when I think about the fact that we were able to get this group together. There’s also the added elements of it’s a little bit like throwing a dinner party in that it is an ensemble. We know we’re gonna be on location together and all be kind of stuck together for a while. So, you’re also just trying to cast cool people who are hopefully gonna get along and have a good time together.”
In terms of the cast’s chemistry, Kate Hudson sums it all up, but not before talking about Daniel Craig’s mansion–as he wasn’t at the interview.
“Daniel’s house, it was almost, like, walking into, you know, it was an entrance. You had to walk down these steps. So every time a new cast member came down the steps, it was like, “Oh, here comes Janelle,” you know? You know, so it was a real meeting, you know?”
“But it was great. That was fun. I feel like we all immediately just were, like, had known each other forever, immediately.”
LOS ANGLES, CA – NOVEMBER 14: (L-R Top) Jessica Henwick, Janelle Monáe, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, Producer Ram Bergman and Edward Norton speak at Netflix “Glass Onion:” A Knives Out Mystery” Press Conference on November 14, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Cr. Eric Charbonneau/Netflix © 2022.
Madelyn Cline, who was totally psyched to work with Rian, shares how she got “the call” at an airport.
“I was like, he’s gonna tell me I didn’t get it. I had to prepare myself. Then I was like, wait, no, no, that’s stupid. I was huddled in a corner at baggage claim ’cause it was so loud and Rian was over the phone asking me if I wanted to be a part of it. I was like, you’re asking, is that even a question? Of course, I do. So yeah. And then I proceeded to, like, have the best weekend of my life and cheers to that.”
Leslie Odom Jr., who’s gained popularity both on the big screen and in theatre, shares how the whole experience felt–seeing things from both perspectives.
“I’ve had a couple opportunities, you know, to be a part of great ensembles with Hamilton and One Night in Miami. And this is, yeah, this is one of the best, you know. But it’s really an impossible thing I think to achieve without the leadership. You know, it happens from the top down.”
LOS ANGLES, CA – NOVEMBER 14: (L-R) Moderator Josh Horowitz, Kathryn Hahn, Director Rian Johnson and Leslie Odom Jr., speak at Netflix “Glass Onion:” A Knives Out Mystery” Press Conference on November 14, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Cr. Eric Charbonneau/Netflix © 2022.
Kathryn Hahn concurs, explaining more.
“Because we really did get to and have to spend, like, every single day, really together, even in, like, it felt like there was a backstage and an on stage. Like, we had these holding areas where we were kind of all together. We ate lunches together for the most part. It felt very much like we were in a theater ensemble.”
“– we all have mad respect for each other.”
Edward Norton, whose humorous performances are sometimes overlooked (Death to Smoochy), shares how he flexed his own comedic chops–given the free reign everyone was given.
“I mean, when someone like Rian calls and says, you know, I’m basically gonna run a summer camp for deeply unserious people and I need people who are willing to ham it up.”
“I think when you’re with a group of people and it becomes apparent that the words repetitive and boring have never been applied to any of them, it just, you know, it’s a lot of fun.”
LOS ANGLES, CA – NOVEMBER 14: (L-R) Jessica Henwick, Kate Hudson, Madelyn Cline, Edward Norton and Producer Ram Bergman speak at Netflix “Glass Onion:” A Knives Out Mystery” Press Conference on November 14, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Cr. Eric Charbonneau/Netflix © 2022.
Janelle Monáe is well-known for delivering stellar performances, and this time was no different for her. She took particular pleasure in working with Rian Johnson, and everyone in the cast.
“You know, I think that being able to work with Rian is a dream. I literally just told myself if I ever had the opportunity, it’s a yes. And then after reading this script, it was a hell yes.”
“We had murder mystery parties, like, outside of filming a murder mystery. Like, we’re in Greece, what can I complain about, you know? I got an opportunity to grow as an actor, I got an opportunity to also gain what I like to say family.”
Speaking of murder mystery parties and Janelle’s penchant for being fabulous, Jessica Henwick shares a bit about the fun she had at said gatherings.
“It was amazing. If Janelle was coming to dinner, it was gonna be a look and everybody else was underdressed. I don’t even know how you had the time to go find those costumes in Serbia.”
LOS ANGLES, CA – NOVEMBER 14: (L-R) Moderator Josh Horowitz, Director Rian Johnson, Janelle Monáe, Producer Ram Bergman and Kate Hudson speak at Netflix “Glass Onion:” A Knives Out Mystery” Press Conference on November 14, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Cr. Eric Charbonneau/Netflix © 2022.
Towards the end, Rian Johnson expresses his happiness on how the murder mystery genre is getting a second wind–a renaissance of sorts.
“I mean, I feel like we’ve kind of rode a beautiful wave of, like, people rediscovering these, which has been really nice with a lot of other great filmmakers bringing them to life. As a whodunit junkie myself, it makes me really happy.”
“And then what makes me the happiest, I guess, is, you know, I mentioned Agatha Christie’s books, but those movies that were based on her books in the late ’70s and early ’80s, when I was a kid watching those with my family, just remembering how big of an impact they had. And now the coolest thing for me is talking to friends who have kids around that age, and seeing them get into these movies, and recognizing, oh, that’s kind of what we made these for. And it’s super, super-cool that they can inspire whoever’s gonna, 30 years from now, do their own version of it. That makes me really happy.”
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Story will be streaming worldwide via Netflix on December 23, 2022.