The Sicario saga is once again at the center of cinematic conversation after it was confirmed that Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro will return for a third installment. The news is particularly significant because it reunites the three actors who brought the franchise's central characters to life, something that has not happened since the first film.
The project, known as Sicario 3, already has a confirmed director and screenwriter, although there is no official synopsis or details yet regarding the plot the film will follow.
The return of the three original protagonists
According to the specialized outlet Deadline, Josh Brolin will return to play Matt Graver, the CIA agent who starred in the first two installments. Alongside him, Benicio del Toro will reprise his role as Alejandro Gillick, the former Colombian prosecutor turned agency operative.
The big news is the return of Emily Blunt as Kate Macer, a character who did not appear in Sicario: Day of the Soldado, released in 2018. Her absence in the second film had left the franchise without one of its most characteristic elements.
Why the return of Kate Macer is so significant
In the first film, Kate Macer functioned as the moral conscience of the story. While Graver and Alejandro operated without many scruples, she tried to stay within legal boundaries, something that ended up creating a direct conflict with Alejandro.
The outcome of that first installment was not exactly friendly between the two characters: Alejandro even forced her, at gunpoint, to sign a statement legalizing what happened during the operation. That unresolved tension makes the reunion between Kate and Alejandro one of the most interesting points heading into the new film.
What the survival of Alejandro Gillick can contribute
Sicario: Day of the Soldado focused exclusively on Graver and Alejandro, with a plot centered on provoking a conflict between rival cartels that became complicated when Alejandro decided to protect Isabel Reyes, contradicting the orders he received.
The end of that second film left a relevant narrative door open: Alejandro, who seemed to have died after being shot in the head, survived and reappeared later. In that final scene, he reunited with Miguel, the young man who had participated in the attack against him, and offered to train him to become a sicario.
Although there is still no official information on the plot of the third film, that survival and the possible development of Miguel's character could play an important role in the new story, especially now that Graver and Kate are also back in the equation.
Changes behind the camera
While the protagonists are returning, two key figures of the saga will not be present in this new installment. Taylor Sheridan, creator of the franchise and screenwriter of the first two films, will not participate in the script for Sicario 3. Sheridan has focused his career in recent years on the development of Yellowstone and its various spin-off productions.
Denis Villeneuve, director of the first two installments, will also not return; his subsequent career includes titles such as Blade Runner 2049, Dune and Dune: Part Two.
Steven Knight will write the script
The script for Sicario 3 will be handled by Steven Knight, known for his work on Eastern Promises and for being the creator of the series Peaky Blinders. His style, focused on morally ambiguous characters, seems to fit the characteristic tone of the franchise.
Padraic McKinley, new director
The direction of the film will fall to Padraic McKinley, a filmmaker with a career focused mainly on television, where he has participated in productions such as The Continental and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
With a new creative team behind the camera but with its three main protagonists back, Sicario 3 arrives with the expectation of offering a story that justifies reuniting Kate Macer, Matt Graver and Alejandro Gillick after the events of the first two films.
Frequently asked questions
Who is returning in Sicario 3?
Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro will return to play Kate Macer, Matt Graver and Alejandro Gillick respectively.
Why is Emily Blunt’s return relevant?
Because her character, Kate Macer, did not appear in the second film of the saga and her return reactivates the moral tension that characterized the first installment.
Who will direct Sicario 3?
The direction will be handled by Padraic McKinley, a filmmaker with experience mainly in television productions such as The Continental and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
Who will write the film’s script?
The script will be handled by Steven Knight, responsible for Eastern Promises and creator of the series Peaky Blinders.
Will Taylor Sheridan or Denis Villeneuve participate in this installment?
No. Neither of them will continue on the project. Sheridan created the saga and wrote the first two films, while Villeneuve directed both previous installments.
Is there an official synopsis for Sicario 3 yet?
No. At the moment, no official synopsis or concrete details about the film's plot have been revealed.
