Sicario 3 might finally be happening, but there are a couple of major obstacles that stand squarely in the way of the film’s success. Following a production timeline update from Josh Brolin during promotion for Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars, a new entry in the Sicario franchise was discussed to follow the original in 2015 and its 2018 sequel.
There are few films better than Sicario, which remains one of the strongest movies of the 2010s. Examining the war on drugs at the border between the United States and Mexico, there are so many components of that project that are worthy of praise, from its fantastic performances to its well-directed tension and its sweeping yet emotional cinematography.
Sicario was followed by a sequel in 2018, and while Sicario: Day of the Soldado was a streaming hit, and a decent follow-up, it did not live up to the critical success of the first film.
The sequel’s ending did set up a third Sicario film, although eight years later, most viewers of the original films have given up hope that another chapter will ever be produced.
This recent update from Josh Brolin has made it clear, however, that discussions for another chapter are actively occurring, which is very exciting. However, looking back at the first Sicario, that film genuinely looks to have been lightning in a bottle in several incredible ways, few of which are likely to be replicated for this next chapter.
It’s Not Clear If Taylor Sheridan Will Write Sicario 3
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Sicario 3 may be in discussion, but details on writer Taylor Sheridan’s involvement are shaky. While there has been some talk about the Wind River scribe putting together another sequel through the years, recent updates have not confirmed the status of his script.
Sheridan, the writer of both Sicario films, is now one of Hollywood’s most in-demand screenwriters. Sheridan’s work for Paramount+ has been a defining feature for the service, and even though he is leaving for a new contract at NBCUniversal, that impact has been immeasurable for the streamer, even beyond the staggering success of Yellowstone.
In crafting franchises and telling original stories, Sheridan has been one of the most prolific voices in Hollywood. While it has been a few years since a feature film adapted one of his scripts, since 2021’s Without Remorse and To Those Who Wish Me Dead, he has remained hard at work crafting series for streaming.
Several of these shows are still running. Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, and The Madison are only a few of the ongoing shows that have come from Sheridan’s work, and there are still more Taylor Sheridan shows on the way. All of this work could make his involvement in the next Sicario less likely.
Denis Villeneuve Directing Sicario 3 Seems Unlikely
The other creative half of Sicario, Denis Villeneuve, has since gone on to become one of the biggest directors in the world, which would make his return unlikely. The best Denis Villeneuve films have recently included the epic Dune trilogy, which is set to conclude with its final chapter later this year.
Getting Villeneuve back would be a tough ask, especially considering his place in the franchise. When Sicario: Day of the Soldado entered production, scheduling prohibited Villeneuve from returning for the film. Stephano Sollima took over as director and brought his own unique stamp to the series.
With this in mind, Sollima’s added voice brought a new texture and feel to the series with a movie that felt distinctly different from the first. Emily Blunt also did not appear in the seqeul, which caused it to lose its moral compass and delve more deeply into the moral ambiguity that the other characters inhabited.
It does not seem absolutely essential, then, to bring Villeneuve back at this time, although it would be great. Regardless, Villeneuve will be busy for quite some time, as he is casting the next James Bond, and will helm the next iteration of that franchise in the near future.
Sicario 3’s Best Chance Of Success Is With Both Sheridan & Villeneuve
It is hard to deny that Sicario 3 would be best poised for success by bringing back its most celebrated and beloved creatives. The first film was a modest hit in cinemas, but has since become more and more appreciated over time. The sequel, however, was met with a much more tepid response.
Much of Day of the Soldado‘s success was due to goodwill earned from the first film. The sequel was a decent follow-up, but had the makings of a less complex and more action-focused thriller. To replicate the creative success of the first film, it would be ideal to bring back Sheridan and Villeneuve.
In addition, bringing back Emily Blunt’s star power could go a long way in making a third movie in the franchise feel that much more exciting. Kate Macer’s journey in the first film was incredibly compelling, and seeing how deeply she might have been changed in the intervening years could make Sicario 3 as strong as the first.
Granted, finances would likely complicate this. Villeneuve, Blunt, and Sheridan all certainly command a high cost that does not match franchise success to date. Sicario grossed $85 million worldwide against a $30 million budget, while its sequel cost $35-45 million and made only $75.8 million.
Sicario 3 Is Still Exciting Even Without Its OG Writer & Director
Fortunately, Sicario has become a franchise that can stand without its original creatives. Alejandro Gillick, played by Benicio del Toro, is a fantastic character, as is Josh Brolin’s Matt Graver. With brutal action and the addition of Isabel Merced to the cast, Day of the Soldado was a worthy follow-up.
The Sicario films are smart and grounded. Crafting an additional sequel might reasonably be able to get Sollima back as director, which could help to retain the grim and gritty tone of the second film. However, with two different directors already in the franchise, bringing in a new voice would also be a reasonable option.
With such strong stars playing such complex characters, and a grounded setup of drug cartels and law enforcement at the Mexico–United States border that continues to be topical, there is plenty of opportunity for new stories, new characters, and new ideas to be added to the world of Sicario.
Yes, the ideal situation for Sicario 3 would be to bring back Taylor Sheridan and Denis Villeneuve. However, even if one or both of those creatives do not return, there remains fantastic potential for the next installment in this incredible franchise.