Netflix Pays Tribute to One of the Best Murder Mysteries Ever with Knives Out/Sesame Street Crossover

Fans have long joked online about seeing Rian Johnson's detective Benoit Blanc, from the "Knives Out" series, interact with Muppets as his only co-stars. The idea gained traction over time, with viral social media posts pushing the concept into the spotlight. In 2022, Johnson mentioned to Netflix's Tudum that he found the idea amusing and had given it genuine thought.

The concept has some logic behind it: Johnson previously cast Frank Oz, the voice behind Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and Yoda, in a minor role in the first "Knives Out" film. While a full-length movie combining Benoit Blanc and the Muppets hasn't happened, Netflixhome to both the "Knives Out" sequels and "Sesame Street"decided to experiment with a short crossover.

The result is "Forks Out", a charming short in which a Muppet version of Daniel Craig, named Beignet Blanc, investigates the case of Cookie Monster's missing pie. The story playfully mirrors the famous ending of Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express," where nearly every suspect is revealed to have participated in the crime. "Forks Out" adapts this twist in a kid-friendly, humorous way.

Despite fan enthusiasm, Johnson has repeatedly expressed why a full-scale Muppet/Knives Out film wouldn't work. In 2022, he explained that the two worlds operate by very different rules: including Muppets in a Benoit Blanc mystery would feel out of place, while inserting Blanc into a Muppet movie would compromise the integrity of his character. Johnson reiterated in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter that although the idea circulates online, it wouldn't translate well into a proper film.

While Johnson has yet to announce his next project, fans continue to hope for more creative ventures from him, whether original mysteries or potentially a standalone Muppet film. Meanwhile, "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" is currently in theaters and will stream on Netflix starting December 12, 2025.

Author: Ava Mitchell