Sicario 3 Is Moving Ahead With Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin

Sicario 3 is moving forward with Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin preparing to return to the franchise, Deadline reported. Black Label Media and Thunder Road are bringing the team back for the third installment, with Padraic McKinley on board to direct and Oscar nominee Steven Knight writing the script.

Plot details are being kept under wraps, according to Deadline, but work on the project has advanced on several fronts. The three returning stars came aboard after reading Knight’s most recent draft, McKinley emerged from an extensive director search, and the current plan is to begin shooting at the top of the year.

Key facts about Sicario 3

Detail	What is known
Returning stars	Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin
Director	Padraic McKinley
Screenwriter	Steven Knight
Producers	Black Label Media and Thunder Road teams
Planned shoot	Top of the year
Plot	Details are being kept under wraps
Distribution	Project is expected to be taken to market

The original Sicario trio is coming back

Deadline reported that Blunt, del Toro and Brolin all read Knight’s latest draft and agreed to return for the third movie. Their reunion restores the three leads from the first Sicario, which was released in 2015.

The franchise was created by Taylor Sheridan. Deadline described the first movie as a surprise hit that paired strong performances from its three leads with the emergence of Denis Villeneuve as a top-tier director. A follow-up, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, was then greenlit with del Toro and Brolin returning to star. That sequel reached theaters in 2018.

Blunt did not return for Day of the Soldado, making the third movie a reunion of the lead trio from the original film. Deadline reported that the series’ popularity has continued to grow over the years, helping set the stage for another installment.

Padraic McKinley won an extensive director search

After the actors committed to return, the next major task was finding a filmmaker. Deadline reported that the search was thorough, with producers from Black Label Media and Thunder Road meeting potential candidates while the lead cast held meetings of their own.

McKinley ultimately emerged as the most impressive candidate and secured the directing job, according to Deadline. He and Knight are now working on the screenplay using notes from the stars.

Deadline reported that the production plan is to shoot at the top of the year. The outlet did not report a specific filming start date, location or release date for Sicario 3.

The movie is expected to be taken to studios

Lionsgate released both of the previous Sicario films, but the third movie is following a different path at this stage. Deadline reported that the plan is to take the project to market and that several studios are already showing interest in the package.

The producing team includes Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill and Thad Luckinbill for Black Label Media. Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee are producing for Thunder Road, while Ed McDonnell returns as a producer, according to Deadline.

With the lead actors, director, writer and producing teams taking shape, the project is moving forward even though its eventual studio home has not been announced. Deadline did not disclose which studios have expressed interest.

Blunt, Brolin and del Toro have other recent projects

Deadline reported that Blunt was most recently seen in the summer sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2 and recently completed production on A Quiet Place Part 3.

Brolin can next be seen in 20th Century’s Whalefall, which also stars Austin Abrams and is scheduled to open October 16, according to Deadline. Del Toro, meanwhile, is coming off an Oscar nomination for his role in One Battle After Another.

The third Sicario movie will bring the actors back to a franchise that began more than a decade ago with the 2015 original and continued with the 2018 sequel. For the new installment, Deadline reported that plot details remain secret while McKinley and Knight continue work on the script with input from the returning stars.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sicario 3 officially happening?

Deadline reported that Sicario 3 is moving forward through Black Label Media and Thunder Road, with Padraic McKinley directing and Steven Knight writing the script.

Is Emily Blunt returning for Sicario 3?

Yes. Deadline reported that Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin all read Steven Knight’s recent draft and are on board to return.

When will Sicario 3 start filming?

Deadline reported that the current plan is to shoot at the top of the year. The outlet did not report a specific filming date or release date.