Sicario 3 Greenlit: Blunt, Del Toro, and Brolin Reunite for Trilogy Finale

Key points

• Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro, and Josh Brolin are set to return for Sicario 3, reuniting the core cast of the 2015 original and 2018 sequel.
• Padraic McKinley, known for The Weight, has been selected to direct the film after a thorough search involving both producers and cast members.
• Steven Knight is writing the screenplay, with McKinley and Knight currently collaborating on the script with input from the stars.
• The project is being shopped to multiple studios, as Lionsgate, which released the first two films, is not necessarily the distributor for the third.
• Production is slated to begin at the top of the year, following delays caused by the 2023 Hollywood writers' strike.

Background

The Sicario franchise, created by Taylor Sheridan, began with the 2015 film directed by Denis Villeneuve, which launched his career as a top-tier director. The 2018 sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, was directed by Stefano Sollima. The third film had been in development for years but was delayed by the 2023 writers' strike. Producers from Black Label Media and Thunder Road have emphasized the importance of completing the trilogy as originally envisioned by Sheridan.

How outlets are covering it

Both The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline confirm the casting and creative team, but Deadline provides additional detail on the director selection process, noting that the lead cast had their own meetings with potential candidates. Deadline also clarifies that while Lionsgate released the first two films, the third is being shopped to multiple studios. The Hollywood Reporter highlights the 2023 writers' strike as a key reason for the delay, while Deadline focuses on the current momentum and the thoroughness of the director search.

Why it matters

The confirmation of Sicario 3 marks the end of a long period of uncertainty for a highly anticipated franchise. The return of the original cast and the involvement of a new director and screenwriter signal a fresh start for the series. The project's movement to the market also indicates a shift in distribution strategy, potentially opening the door for a new studio partner.

What to watch

The next steps involve finalizing the script and securing a distribution deal. Production is expected to begin at the top of the year, with the goal of completing the trilogy as originally envisioned by Taylor Sheridan.