Glass Onions Continue 2 Of The Oldest Rian Johnson Traditions
The presence of the two actors in Glass Onion deftly continues the oldest tradition in Rian Johnson's films, and Knives Out 3 will likely continue that tradition.
WARNING! This article contains minor SPOILERS for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery!
The cast of Glass Onion deftly continues two of Rian Johnson's film's oldest traditions and Easter eggs. The 2022 sequel to Knives Out brings back Daniel Craig's suave Southern sleuth, Benoit Blanc, about a group of old friends who are kidnapped by tech billionaire Miles Brown ( Edward Norton) is invited to a Greek island to solve a fictional murder mystery - until the end of the game becomes real. In addition to retaining the many clever twists and diversions that made Rian Johnson's 2019 film "Knockout" a success, "The Glass Onion" retains more of Johnson's traditions, which apply to this film. Every past project of a filmmaker.
Like Knockout, The Glass Onion's success was largely due to its star-studded cast, which included celebrities like Angela Lansbury and Stephen Sondheim when they were finally released posthumously. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ethan Hawke, and even Hugh Grant as Benoit Blanc's boyfriend. While Detective Benoit Blanc is the only Return of the Glass Onion character from Revenge, there are two returning actors playing brand new roles. Noah Segan and Joseph Gordon-Levitt Play New Roles in Glass Onion After Knives Out, and Their Sequel Cameos Continue Rian's Oldest Tradition Johnson's larger filmography.
Noah Segan & Joseph Gordon-Levitt In Glass Onion Is A Rian Johnson Tradition
Noah Segan and Joseph Gordon-Levitt have been involved in nearly all of Rian Johnson's films and television shows, and Segan has been involved in virtually all of Johnson's directed projects. Their presence in Rian Johnson's projects—from Star Wars: The Last Jedi to Looper—is now considered a classic Johnson tradition, and Glass Onion didn't disappoint. In Knockout, Sagan played a supporting role as Trooper Wagner, an actor who returns to play the hilarious and enigmatic slacker Dror in The Glass Onion. Likewise, Gordon-Levitt cameoed as Detective Hardrock in Knockout, and then voiced Miles' clock, the Hourly Dong, in The Glass Onion.
Sagan and Gordon-Levitt are now expected to appear as new characters in Johnson's upcoming film Knockout 3, though it is hoped that the latter will eventually make an on-screen cameo. Outside of the Knives Out franchise, Noah Segan has appeared in every project Johnson has directed — including Breaking Bad — except Terriers. Joseph Gordon-Levitt didn't get as many Rian Johnson projects as Segan, but he also appeared in The Brick, The Brothers Bloom, Looper, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Johnson's upcoming TV series Poker Face.
Why Rian Johnson Always Casts Noah Segan & Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Like many modern filmmakers, Rian Johnson is known for bringing his friends back on and off screen in his projects. Noah Segan and Joseph Gordon-Levitt both appeared in Rian Johnson's directorial debut, Piccolo (2005), and a close friendship developed between actor and director. Segan and Gordon-Levitt have continued to work with Johnson from his box-office flops to his blockbusters in the Star Wars franchise, so they've been a real presence throughout his Hollywood career. As Johnson continues to land more big projects, it seems like the right thing for him to bring back the guy who's been with him since the beginning.
Another reason Segan and Gordon-Levitt continue to appear in Rian Johnson's films is that the actors serve as fun Easter eggs for the audience. Johnson told Screen Rant that he cast Segan as Derol in Glass Onion because he believed people wouldn't recognize him from Knives Out, and Gordon-Levitt's voice cameo was harder to spot. While Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc may be the only character to appear in the Knockout series, audiences now know to keep an eye out for Segan and Gordon-Levitt in Johnson's next film cameo.
