Janelle Monae is the latest name to be added to Rian Johnson’s forthcoming Knives Out sequel.

• READ MORE: Knives Out review: Rian Johnson returns to fold with thrilling, expertly-crafted whodunit

Monae is the third newcomer linked to the project in the last day, following Dave Bautista and Edward Norton.

The news first broke on The Hollywood Reporter, who reported that the singer and actor has signed up to join the cast of the next instalment of the popular whodunit.

Monae then confirmed the news on her Instagram page, sharing the report along with a number of knife emojis.

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A post shared by Janelle Monáe ????? (@janellemonae)

It was announced earlier this year that streaming giant Netflix had acquired the rights to the next two Knives Out films in a deal reportedly worth $450million (£327million).

A sequel to Johnson’s original 2019 film, which was a massive box office success, earning $311.4 million (£226 million) on a $40 million (£29 million) budget, was officially announced back in February 2020.

Monae will join Daniel Craig, who is set to reprise his role as private detective Benoit Blanc in the upcoming sequel. According to Deadline, Knives Out 2 will begin shooting on June 28 in Greece.

Last month, Jamie Lee Curtis confirmed she wouldn’t be appearing in the film’s forthcoming sequel.

Curtis, who starred in the first Knives Out film as Lynda Drysdale, the daughter of wealthy mystery writer Harlan Thrombey (played Christopher Plummer), announced that neither she or the rest of her on-screen family will be appearing in the sequel.

“To clear up any rumours, the Thromby family is in family counselling and the therapist suggested they stay away from Benoit Blanc in the future,” she wrote on Instagram. “Linda was fine as she kicked her loafer wearing prick of a husband, sorry @donjohnson to the curb. The rest of them are hustling.”

She continued: “Ransom is apparently in the knitting sweater business, a new skill he picked up in the slammer. Joni has some vaginal scented bath bomb, Walt is self publishing his memoir. NONE of us will be joining Mr. Blanc in Greece. As the family spokesperson we wish the filmmakers all our best in their new venture.”

Meanwhile, Joseph Gordon-Levitt has confirmed he had a secret cameo in 2019’s Knives Out.