Taylor Sheridan is Writing ‘Sicario 3’

A few weeks ago, Josh Brolin confirmed that “Sicario 3” is moving forward and that production would begin “soon.” It was a significant update for a project that has been stuck in development for years.

Still, the biggest mystery surrounding this threequel has always been who will direct it and who will write the screenplay.

We now have an answer to the latter. Taylor Sheridan, who is juggling the countless TV shows he’s currently creating, has somehow managed to write a script for “Sicario 3,” according to Variety. Will he pull a “Wind River” and direct his own script?

Who else could take the helm? There was a brief moment when Christopher McQuarrie was in the mix. Stefano Sollima, who directed “Sicario: Day of the Soldado,” has ruled himself out, saying each new chapter should come from a different director with their own specific style. And forget about Denis Villeneuve, who directed the first film and will likely be too busy with James Bond for Amazon MGM.

Casting will also be closely watched. Brolin is definitely returning. Benicio del Toro’s character survived “Soldado,” which means he’s likely back. Emily Blunt, who sat out the sequel, could return. There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding the whole thing, and yet Sheridan has a script, Brolin says it’s definitely happening, and it’s moving toward production.

The third instalment, often referred to as “Sicario: Capos,” has been in the works since around 2018. Two years ago, producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee confirmed that a script had been partially written before being paused by the WGA strike, and that the idea was “awesome.”

Quite honestly, what’s the point of making another “Sicario” without Villeneuve? He elevated the original with his direction, alongside Roger Deakins’ stunning cinematography. That atmosphere can’t be replicated without them.