Taylor Sheridan Returns to the Criminal Underworld as ‘Sicario 3’ Script Gains Momentum

When Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Sicario’ debuted in 2015, it introduced a fresh voice in American cinema. The action crime thriller, penned by Taylor Sheridan in his screenwriting debut, featured performances from Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, and Josh Brolin. Garnering three Oscar nominations and a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it significantly boosted Sheridan’s career.

This success led to a sequel, ‘Sicario: Day of the Soldado,’ released in 2018 and directed by Stefano Sollima, which shifted the focus to the characters portrayed by del Toro and Brolin. Together, the two films have grossed over $160 million worldwide. Fans have been eagerly awaiting a follow-up, but production has faced delays due to conflicting schedules and the 2023 writers’ strike.

Recent news about the ‘Sicario 3’ script has emerged. On October 1, Variety reported that Sheridan has written the screenplay for the long-awaited threequel, as part of a story detailing how NBCUniversal Entertainment chair Donna Langley successfully recruited him from Paramount. The report also mentions that he penned the script for Paramount’s upcoming ‘Call of Duty’ movie.

Until now, it was uncertain how deeply involved the ‘Yellowstone’ creator would be. While producers confirmed his attachment to the project, it was unclear if he would actively write the script. The Variety article states that Sheridan is returning to his cinematic roots, a move that clarifies the film’s progress.

Langley explained to Variety that securing a better film deal was crucial. By emphasizing the film aspect of his long-term TV and film agreement, NBCUniversal managed to bring Sheridan on board after a decade at Paramount. The film portion of this agreement is anticipated to commence in 2026, while the TV segment will follow after he completes his Paramount commitments in 2028.

Sheridan initially gained recognition through films like ‘Sicario,’ ‘Hell or High Water,’ and ‘Wind River’ before establishing a television empire with ‘Yellowstone’ in 2018. His upcoming projects include ‘Landman,’ ‘The Madison,’ ‘Lioness,’ ‘Tulsa King,’ and ‘Mayor of Kingstown.’ He also wrote the action film ‘F.A.S.T.,’ set for release on May 14, 2027.

This news follows an optimistic update from the franchise’s star. In August, while promoting Ridley Scott’s ‘The Dog Stars,’ Brolin confirmed to ScreenRant that the third film is indeed happening and that production should begin soon. This statement came a year after he described the project as looking very promising.

Producer Thad Luckinbill has hinted that the team aims to create the film for the fans, expressing his own desire to see it come to fruition. Franchise veteran Jeffrey Donovan has also mentioned that returning would be a dream, although he has yet to receive a call. Brolin is expected to reprise his role as CIA officer Matt Graver.

Many questions still linger. The movie currently lacks a confirmed director, release date, or production start date. Villeneuve did not return for the second film, and Sollima previously suggested that each installment could benefit from a different director. Christopher McQuarrie was once attached, but Brolin confirmed he is no longer involved as of 2024.

Previously referred to as ‘Sicario: Capos,’ the film is expected to continue the story of del Toro’s assassin Alejandro Gillick and Brolin’s agent as they battle against the cartels. Del Toro’s role has not been officially confirmed, and it remains uncertain whether Blunt will reprise her role as Kate Macer. For fans of the series, however, the completion of the script marks a significant milestone.

With Sheridan’s schedule now opening up for feature films, the franchise appears to finally be gaining the momentum it has been lacking for the past eight years.

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