Daniel Craig Got into Heated Exchange with Netflix Exec

Things got “testy” between Daniel Craig and Netflix’s top brass over how audiences would see his latest film. With the third Knives Out movie on the way, there’s growing tension about whether it will get a proper theatrical release—a move Craig seems to feel is essential.

Following the box office success of the original Knives Out, Netflix jumped at the chance to acquire the franchise rights, giving the sequel Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery only a one-week theatrical run. Despite its brief time in theaters, Glass Onion was a financial success, suggesting a wider release could have done even better. But Craig, who plays the beloved Southern detective Benoit Blanc, was reportedly unhappy with Netflix’s streaming-first model. According to a report from Puck News, the former Bond star got into a heated exchange with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos over the platform’s refusal to extend Glass Onion’s theatrical run.

During the film’s premiere, Puck’s Matthew Belloni reports, Craig didn’t mince words. When Sarandos repeated Netflix’s usual “not our model” defense, Craig allegedly fired back with an unfiltered response: “Your model is f—ed.” The exchange has since stirred buzz about Netflix’s business model and its impact on potential box-office profits.

The disagreement is a classic clash of visions. Craig seems to believe the Knives Out franchise deserves a wide-screen audience, especially after the theatrical success of the first film. Netflix, however, has stayed firm, aiming to keep its biggest titles as exclusives to drive more streaming subscribers.

There’s no question Craig has benefited financially. Reports from Variety in 2021 estimated the former James Bond actor made over $100 million from the Netflix deal, while Closer Weekly puts the figure around $80 million. Still, some fans speculate that for Craig, the theatrical experience—and the audience it brings—could be worth more than just a paycheck.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is streaming now on Netflix, while the third installment, rumored to be titled Wake Up Dead Man, is slated for a 2025 release. The debate over its theatrical run, however, is far from over.