Sicario 3 Gets Update: Josh Brolin Says Third Film Is Real

by | Sep 2, 2025

Updated: September 03, 2025
Josh Brolin Breaks Silence on Sicario 3 Development Update

Sicario 3 is officially in the works, and fans of the intense crime thriller finally have something to look forward to. Josh Brolin said that the third movie is real and will have a new story, with possible returning cast, and plans to move forward.

The next movie will probably come out after 2025, but there isn’t a set release date yet. Here’s everything we know so far about the third Sicario movie.

Is There Going to Be Sicario 3?

Josh Brolin as Matt Graver in a tense Sicario 2 interrogation scene

Image © 2018 Lionsgate / Black Label Media / Thunder Road Pictures

Josh Brolin Confirms the Third Film Is “Very, Very Real”

After a long wait, there is finally solid news about the third Sicario movie. It’s no longer just a rumor. During an interview on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, host Josh Horowitz asked Josh Brolin about the project’s status. Brolin’s answer confirmed what many fans were hoping for.

  • Brolin’s quote: “I just heard recently that it’s very, very real.”
  • Producers showed up: Molly Smith and others spoke out quickly when Brolin had doubts about the sequel, which made him more hopeful.
  • Change in tone: Brolin was skeptical about the third movie before, but now he sounds happy about it.
  • Character importance: Brolin’s Matt Graver is central to the Sicario franchise, making his involvement critical.

Producers Say the Script Is Written and Rewritten

The 2023 writers’ strike slowed down work on Sicario 3, but once it was over, things got back to normal quickly. Molly Smith and Thad Luckinbill, two producers, have confirmed that the story has been written and rewritten several times to meet the high standards of the franchise.

  • Confirmed by producers: The script is completed and undergoing polish.
  • Strike impact: The WGA pause temporarily delayed forward momentum.
  • Team involvement: Black Label, Edward McDonnell, and Molly Smith remain active on the project.
  • Sheridan penned original films: Fans continue to look forward to Taylor Sheridan‘s influence.

What Will Sicario 3 Be About?

Benicio Del Toro and Jeffrey Donovan in a combat scene from Sicario 2

Image © 2018 Lionsgate / Black Label Media / Thunder Road Pictures

Alejandro’s Rise Through the Cartel

If the rumored working title “Sicario: Capos” is true, the next movie might be about Alejandro’s attempt to get into the top levels of the cartel. In the last scene of Day of the Soldado, Alejandro survives a close-range shooting and confronts Miguel, which could lead to a potential apprentice relationship.

  • Final scene setup: As a mentor-mentee relationship develops, Alejandro approaches Miguel and offers to help him.
  • Capos meaning: “Capos” translates to cartel bosses, hinting at Alejandro targeting leadership ranks.
  • Narratively interesting: Moving from soldados to capos adds new layers to del Toro’s character.
  • Continuity: This would change del Toro’s story from one of revenge to one of legacy.

Kate Macer’s Return Could Reintroduce a Moral Anchor

A lot of the first Sicario movie was told from the point of view of Emily Blunt’s character Kate Macer, who provided a moral framework for understanding the violence and uncertainty of covert operations. Her absence in the second film left a void that many fans noticed.

  • Kate Mercer’s perspective: Emily’s personality gave the story moral weight.
  • Sollima’s view: Stefano Sollima admitted the second film lacked a moral compass without Kate.
  • Emily’s return: If Blunt comes back, the tension between criminals and police would rise again.

Is There a Sicario 3 Cast?

Elijah Rodriguez as Miguel Hernandez in a dramatic night shot in Sicario 2

Image © 2018 Lionsgate / Black Label Media / Thunder Road Pictures

Confirmed & Returning Cast (So Far)

The third Sicario film is expected to reunite its core cast. Although there isn’t an official cast list yet, producers and actors have said in public that they are interested or involved.

  • Josh Brolin as Matt Graver: The hardened CIA operative central to the franchise.
  • Benicio del Toro as Alejandro Gillick: A former prosecutor turned assassin whose journey continues from the previous films.
  • Emily Blunt as Kate Macer: The moral anchor of the first film. Her return would add narrative depth.
  • Elijah Rodriguez as Miguel Hernandez: A cartel recruit who may become Alejandro’s protégé in the third installment.

Studio and Producer Insights on Casting

Molly Smith, the producer, has talked openly about her plans to bring back Brolin, del Toro, and Blunt for the third movie. There are still talks going on, so nothing is official yet, but the cast is kept up to date.

  • Ongoing talks: Smith and Black Label have kept communication open with the actors.
  • Schedule is key: Availability will determine if the full team can return.
  • Smith’s optimism: The story has made all three leads excited, and they all want to come back.
  • Fans’ anticipation: Many fans are eager to see the core cast back together on screen.

When Will Sicario 3 Be Released?

Benicio Del Toro as Alejandro Gillick confronting a target in Sicario 2

Image © 2018 Lionsgate / Black Label Media / Thunder Road Pictures

No Official Release Date Yet

As of right now, there is no set release date for Sicario 3. The schedule will depend on how the script is changed, how available the cast is, and how quickly they can find a director.

  • No date announced: Lionsgate or any major distributor has yet to confirm a release window.
  • Still in development: The film is progressing, not canceled.
  • Early-stage phase: Pre-production tasks are still being finalized.
  • Confirmation vs. timeline: The third installment is real, but not yet on the calendar.
  • No director: Denis Villeneuve is unavailable, and Stefano Sollima won’t return.

Final Thoughts

With Josh Brolin back, Emily Blunt possibly coming back, and Benicio del Toro continuing his intense role, the movie looks like it will live up to the high standards of the Sicario franchise. As Hollywood gets ready for another exciting ride, stay tuned for more news. When it comes out in theaters or on streaming services, you won’t want to miss this.

FAQs

Why was Emily Blunt not in Sicario 2?

Emily blunt skipped the second film but may return in the third sicario movie to enhance Kate Mercer’s arc.

Who shot Kate in Sicario?

Kate was shot by Alejandro in the first Sicario movie but survived and might appear again in the third film.

Is Benicio Del Toro in the third Sicario movie?

Benicio del Toro is expected to return in the third Sicario movie, but it has not been confirmed yet.

Will the third Sicario movie run ads before release?

Yes, like other hollywood releases, expect promotional ads and services to enhance visibility before it hits theaters.

Will the quality of the third Sicario movie be like the first?

Producers say the third sicario movie will match the quality of the first film, so stay tuned for more details.

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