What Happened to Sicario (Film Franchise)?
The Sicario film franchise explores the brutal and morally ambiguous world of the drug war on the U.S.-Mexico border through two critically acclaimed films, 'Sicario' (2015) and 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado' (2018). A third installment, reportedly titled 'Sicario: Capos,' has been in development for several years, with key cast members expressing interest in returning, though a director and official production timeline remain unconfirmed as of mid-2026.
Quick Answer
The Sicario film franchise consists of two released films, 'Sicario' (2015) and 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado' (2018), which delve into the dark realities of the drug war. A third film, 'Sicario: Capos,' has been in active development since 2018, with screenwriter Taylor Sheridan involved and original stars Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, and Emily Blunt expressing strong interest in reprising their roles. While a script reportedly exists and producers confirm the project is 'very, very real,' the film currently lacks a confirmed director and an official production start date as of July 2026, largely due to scheduling conflicts with key creatives like Taylor Sheridan and the original director Denis Villeneuve.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Sicario Premieres at Cannes Film Festival
The first film in the franchise, 'Sicario,' directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Taylor Sheridan, had its world premiere at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d'Or.
Sicario Wide Theatrical Release
Lionsgate released 'Sicario' nationwide in the United States, following a limited release on September 18, 2015. The film starred Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, and Josh Brolin.
Sequel Announced by Lionsgate
Following the critical and commercial success of 'Sicario,' Lionsgate announced that a sequel was in development, with a focus on Benicio del Toro's character, Alejandro.
Stefano Sollima Hired to Direct 'Soldado'
Italian filmmaker Stefano Sollima was brought on to direct the sequel, 'Soldado' (later 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado'), as original director Denis Villeneuve was unavailable due to scheduling conflicts. Emily Blunt was confirmed not to return.
Principal Photography Begins for 'Day of the Soldado'
Filming commenced for 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado' in New Mexico, with Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin reprising their roles.
Sicario: Day of the Soldado Released
The sequel, 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado,' was released in the United States, continuing the story of Matt Graver and Alejandro Gillick.
Third Film 'Sicario: Capos' Confirmed in Development
Preceding the release of 'Soldado,' producer Trent Luckinbill confirmed that a third film, reportedly titled 'Sicario: Capos,' was already in development.
Josh Brolin Expresses Doubt on Sicario 3 Due to Budget Challenges
Josh Brolin commented on the difficulty of getting 'Sicario 3' made, citing a shift in studio focus away from mid-budget adult dramas, despite audience interest and an existing script.
Original Cast Members Express Interest in Returning
Producers indicated that Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, and Benicio del Toro all expressed a desire to return for the third 'Sicario' film.
Josh Brolin States Sicario 3 is 'Very, Very Real'
Josh Brolin provided a significant update, stating in an interview that producers had informed him 'Sicario 3' is 'very, very real' and moving forward, despite previous doubts.
Updates on Script and Director Status
Reports indicate a script (reportedly 'Sicario: Capos') exists with a 'great hook,' but Denis Villeneuve is unlikely to return as director, and Christopher McQuarrie has departed the project. Taylor Sheridan's busy schedule remains a factor.
Sicario 3 Remains in Active Development
As of mid-2026, 'Sicario: Capos' continues to be in active development, with strong interest from the core cast and producers, but a confirmed director and production timeline are still pending.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The 'Sicario' film franchise began its gritty exploration of the U.S.-Mexico drug war with the release of 'Sicario' in 2015. Directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Taylor Sheridan, the film introduced audiences to FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt), CIA officer Matt Graver (Josh Brolin), and the enigmatic former prosecutor Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro). The film garnered critical acclaim for its intense atmosphere, moral ambiguity, and stunning cinematography, setting a high bar for the series.
Following the success of the first film, a sequel, 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado,' was released in 2018. While Taylor Sheridan returned as the screenwriter, Stefano Sollima took over directing duties due to Villeneuve's scheduling conflicts. Emily Blunt's character, Kate Macer, did not return for the sequel, which shifted its focus to the escalating conflict between Graver and Gillick as they navigate human trafficking and cartel warfare. The film received generally favorable reviews but was often noted for lacking some of the original's thematic depth and the unique perspective provided by Blunt's character.
Since the release of 'Day of the Soldado,' a third installment, often referred to as 'Sicario: Capos,' has been consistently in development. Producers like Trent Luckinbill, Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and Molly Smith have repeatedly affirmed that the project is moving forward. Josh Brolin, who plays Matt Graver, has been a vocal proponent, stating in late 2025 and early 2026 that the possibility of a third film is 'very, very real' and that a script with a 'great hook' exists. The potential return of Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, and Josh Brolin has been a significant point of discussion, with all three actors expressing interest.
However, the path to 'Sicario: Capos' has been marked by delays, primarily due to the demanding schedules of its key creatives. Taylor Sheridan, the franchise's writer, has been heavily involved in building his 'Yellowstone' television empire, limiting his availability for film projects. Denis Villeneuve, the acclaimed director of the first 'Sicario,' is unlikely to return given his commitments to projects like 'Dune: Messiah' and other ambitious films. Stefano Sollima is also not expected to direct the third film, and while Christopher McQuarrie was briefly attached, he has since departed the project. As of July 2026, a confirmed director for 'Sicario: Capos' is still pending, and no official production start or release date has been announced.
The ongoing interest from the original cast and producers, coupled with a reportedly strong script, suggests that 'Sicario: Capos' remains a priority for Lionsgate and Black Label Media. Despite the challenges of aligning schedules and securing a director, the franchise's strong fan base and critical reputation continue to fuel anticipation for a conclusion to the morally complex narrative. The film's status remains in active development, with the industry awaiting concrete announcements regarding its production.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Sicario (Film Franchise) made different choices?