Last September, we reported that a Sicario sequel was in development at Lionsgate. For those who didn’t see the original, the film follows an FBI agent played by Emily Blunt as she’s recruited by two mysterious government figures (Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro) to accompany them on a secret mission involving drug cartels on the U.S.-Mexico border. Directed by Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners), it’s a taut, riveting thriller that probably would have garnered more awards attention in a less crowded season and with a more concerted campaign by Lionsgate.
So while the studio may not see it as awards bait, they definitely see some franchise potential. Taylor Sheridan, who penned the first film, is also writing the sequel, and producers Molly Smith and twins Trent and Thad Luckinbill tell THR that they’ve recently received a draft. Trent goes on to say:
It's a great big world. We can't reveal the plot, but you'll see [Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin] all come back. You have such a great character with Benicio, who was as dark as he was and still so loved. That character resonates so well with audiences. People want to know what happened to him, so it's a perfect foray for us to explore. Obviously we would love it if Denis could [direct]. He's a busy man, but he's certainly part of the process with us right now.
Del Toro’s enigmatic character definitely seems like the most promising one to follow, and even if they don’t get Villeneuve, Sheridan has definitely set up a rich world full of dark intrigue. While serious dramas like Sicario rarely get sequels, there’s definitely room to explore the characters as well as what they represent in the doomed war on drugs.
