The cast of Sicario 3 is still unconfirmed, but producers want the original stars to come back. Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, and Emily Blunt are all in talks. The third installment is in development with updates on the story, crew, and production status.
Fans are curious about who will be back, why Blunt didn’t do the sequel, and what will happen next. Who is in Sicario 3 and what will happen are all listed in this article.
Who Will Be Cast in Sicario 3?
Image © 2015 Lionsgate / Black Label Media / Thunder Road Pictures
Original Stars Expected to Reunite
While the cast of Sicario 3 has not been officially confirmed, producers Molly Smith and Erica Lee have made it clear they are working to reunite the original cast. Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, and Emily Blunt are all being actively discussed for the third Sicario film.
- No confirmed leads yet: Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro are reportedly attached, but this has not been confirmed by either actor.
- Emily Blunt’s status: After ongoing talks, producers are hopeful that Emily Blunt will return.
- Producers’ intention: Molly Smith and Erica Lee have stated their goal is to bring back all the talent from the first movie.
- Chemistry factor: The dynamic between Brolin’s Matt, Del Toro’s Alejandro, and Blunt’s Kate Macer was a big part of why the first movie was so successful.
- Trilogy vision: Complete reunion would add emotional depth to the third movie and bring the amazing franchise to a close.
New and Supporting Roles in Discussion
There may also be new characters and actors from the first two movies in the cast of Sicario 3. The ending of Day of the Soldado hinted at more stories involving Miguel, a young drug smuggler.
- Miguel’s return: Elijah Rodriguez is likely to come back possibly as Alejandro’s apprentice.
- Speculated characters: Jeffery Donovan‘s character Steve Forsing is one that is expected, but not confirmed.
- No official additions: No major new roles have been officially announced by Thunder Road Films.
- Creative direction: The story may revolve around Miguel’s transformation into a Sicario under Del Toro’s mentorship.
- Casting strategy: Producers have said they’re looking for talent informed by narrative relevance, not just name value.
What Is the Latest Update on Sicario 3?
Image © 2015 Lionsgate / Black Label Media / Thunder Road Pictures
Josh Brolin Says It’s “Very, Very Real”
Josh Brolin said that he “heard recently” that the third Sicario movie is taking shape. His comments are the strongest public confirmation of the movie’s progress so far.
- Brolin’s statement: Josh Brolin said the third film is “very, very real” during a podcast appearance.
- Production stage: The project is in active development but not yet in the shooting phase.
- Optimism rising: Fans have new hope after years of radio silence thanks to Brolin’s comments.
- Script status: It’s possible that the last draft is already in shooting draft form, having been changed several times.
- Momentum shift: Brolin noted that producers showed interest once a story interesting enough was finalized.
No Director Yet, Villeneuve Not Returning
Denis Villeneuve, who directed the first movie, has said that he will not be making the third one. Christopher McQuarrie was rumored but is also no longer attached.
- No returning director: Denis Villeneuve is focused on other projects like Dune and James Bond.
- McQuarrie update: Christopher McQuarrie was previously linked but has since exited the project.
- Director vacancy: The third Sicario film currently has no confirmed director.
- Style changes: Producers may want a new voice behind the camera, just like with the sequel.
- Vision matters: Erica Lee said that they won’t move forward until they find a director who shares Taylor Sheridan’s goals.
Why Is Emily Blunt Not in Sicario 2?
Image © 2015 Lionsgate / Black Label Media / Thunder Road Pictures
Creative Decision by the Filmmakers
The writer of Day of the Soldado, Taylor Sheridan, chose not to have Emily Blunt in the movie. H e thought that her story arc was finished in the first movie.
- Sheridan’s call: Screenwriter Taylor Sheridan said Kate Macer’s arc was “narratively interesting but complete.”
- Director input: Director Stefano Sollima agreed with the choice and wanted the tone to be darker and more action-packed.
- Different tone: As the second movie focused on secret operations, Blunt’s moral compass was taken away.
- Producers aligned: The team at Thunder Road Films backed the shift in story direction.
- Temporary exit: The move was seen as a pause, not a permanent removal of Blunt’s character.
Fan Theories and Narrative Speculation
Fans have thought that Kate Macer might have died or been gone for good. But there was never any official word on-screen about what happened to her.
- No confirmed fate: The sequel does not mention Kate Macer, leaving her status open.
- Fan theories emerge: Some believe she may return changed by traumatic events from the first film.
- Story opportunity: The third movie could use her as a returning force with a new perspective.
- Moral balance: Having her come back could bring back the moral framework that gave the first movie its core.
- Franchise balance: Bringing her back together with both Brolin and Del Toro could give the story a satisfying ending.
Where Did They Shoot Sicario?
Image © 2015 Lionsgate / Black Label Media / Thunder Road Pictures
Key U.S. and Mexico Filming Locations
The first Sicario movie was mostly filmed in real places in the United States and Mexico. These places were picked to show how harsh and real the border conflict was that was shown in the movie.
- Primary cities: Filming took place in Albuquerque, El Paso, and Ciudad Juárez.
- Border realism: Juárez scenes showed actual cityscapes, giving the film an unfiltered edge.
- Wild Pony Bar: Scenes with Kate Macer and Reggie were filmed at the Wild Pony Bar in Los Lunas, New Mexico.
- Bank and motel scenes: Locations in Candelaria Road and Motel 1 were used to enhance realism.
- Cross-border visuals: Roger Deakins’ cinematography showed how different the U.S. and Mexican environments are from each other.
Why Location Mattered to the Story’s Realism
The mood of the first movie was largely set in believable, rough places. The director, Denis Villeneuve, and the cinematographer, Roger Deakins, chose scenes that visually emphasized the themes of tension and moral decay.
- Authentic visuals: Real places were used to add to the film’s gritty feel.
- Immersive effect: Shooting on-site made every encounter feel grounded and personal.
- Geopolitical tension: Using border settings that looked like news stories from real life made the story feel more current.
- Franchise consistency: Even in Day of the Soldado, director Stefano Sollima continued using similar location styles.
Final Thoughts
While work is still being done on the third Sicario movie, producers have promised such amazing things if everyone’s schedules work out. Fans are hopeful that this next movie will make sense, with three actors like Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, and Emily Blunt are all involved.
Black Label and Thunder Road remain great partners, and founder Basil Iwanyk is still involved. In a perfect world, the last scene would tell a great story. Do not miss what might be the most intense part of the Taylor verse.
FAQs
What does the Spanish word Sicario mean?
It means hitman, and in the Sicario movie it’s the point of Del Toro’s character arc.
Why did the cop say Medellín in Sicario?
The word referenced a cartel myth to justify shady operations that didn’t make sense but sounded cool in Hollywood.
Is Sicario a true story?
No, but the first movie was inspired by real border conflicts and the great story told by Taylor Sheridan.
Was Sicario 2 a success?
Yes, the new movie had a darker tone but still did amazing things for Black Label and Chris McQuarrie fans.
Is Benicio Del Toro returning in the next movie?
Benicio Del Toro may return as one of the lead partners if everyone’s schedule aligns for the third instalment.