Sicario 2 is looking good and will likely be going into production soon, as Deadline has learned Italian film and television director Stefano Sollima is the frontrunner to replace Denis Villenueve as the sequel’s director with a deal to be made shortly, since Denis is tied-up currently with Blade Runner 2.
I’m told that Stefano Sollima is the frontrunner to direct the second installment and should have the job shortl, with talks expected to wrap up quickly. Denis Villenueve directed the first film. Sollima is the Italian director who has made a number of memorably gritty crime thrillers, but is best known for directing the Italian miniseries Gomorra, and the features Suburra and A.C.A.B. (All Cops Are Bastards).
They confirm that Beneico Del Toro and Josh Brolin will be reprising their roles, but Emily Blunt will not, likely due to her other commitments, also revealing some details about the sequel.
The script by Sheridan — who wrote the original — has been very well received. Gone is the principled FBI agent character played by Emily Blunt. The subject matter is very topical, as Gillick and Graver concern themselves with what is being smuggled across the border between Mexico and the U.S. in the tunnels used to move drugs and illegal immigrants. Those tunnels can also be used to bring terrorists into the U.S.
Production is expected to begin this fall, a release date hasn’t been slatted, but sometime around fall 2017 sounds about right.
SOURCE: DEADLINE