Taylor Sheridan Returns to Write Sicario 3 as Brolin Confirms Third Entry

Taylor Sheridan is bringing Sicario back to the big screen, and this time he’s doing the writing himself. Variety reports that Sheridan is scripting a third installment in the crime-thriller franchise, following the 2015 original and its 2018 sequel. The news comes after years of rumors and development limbo, with Josh Brolin confirmed to return as CIA agent Matt Graver.

Sheridan’s Return to the Franchise

Sheridan is one of the most prolific TV writers of the last decade. His credits include Yellowstone, Landman, and Dutton Ranch, the spinoff series set in the same universe. He’s also the man behind three of the best crime thrillers of the 2010s: Sicario, Hell or High Water, and Wind River. Those films established his reputation for gritty, morally complex storytelling.

After nearly a decade focused on television, Sheridan is now circling back to the film franchise that made him a household name. The third Sicario movie, often referred to as Sicario: Capos, has been in development since 2018. Sheridan’s involvement as writer was previously reported, but the new Variety update confirms the script is underway.

The franchise has spent years in a state of flux between the original and its sequel, with plans for a third installment rumored and then quiet for extended periods. Sheridan’s return as writer signals real progress after years of uncertainty. The fact that he is writing it himself suggests a direct continuation of the tone and themes that defined the first two films.

The Original Film That Started It All

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the original Sicario is a tense exploration of America’s morally compromised war on drugs along the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2015 film stars Emily Blunt as FBI agent Kate Macer, a principled newcomer who is enlisted by the U.S. government to help capture a Mexican drug cartel leader.

Macer works alongside CIA agent Matt Graver, played by Josh Brolin, and Alejandro Gillick, played by Benicio del Toro. Gillick is a former Mexican prosecutor turned assassin. The trio operates on the edges of the law, withholding crucial information from Macer. That secrecy creates a constant sense of tension and unease throughout the film.

The original Sicario was a critical and commercial success, establishing the franchise’s signature blend of moral ambiguity and visceral thrills. Its success helped make Sheridan a prominent figure in crime filmmaking, and the film’s influence can be seen across his subsequent work.

The Sequel That Missed the Mark

Sheridan wrote a sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, which was released in 2018. Stefano Sollima directed that film, with Brolin and del Toro reprising their roles. The sequel was less well received both commercially and critically. Villeneuve’s sensibilities and Roger Deakins’ Academy Award-nominated cinematography were sorely missed in the follow-up.

The absence of those two collaborators was notable. The film’s reception was mixed, with critics finding it less compelling than the original. Despite that, the film did feature the same central characters, keeping the continuity alive for any future installment.

What We Know About Sicario: Capos

Josh Brolin says he’ll return for the third entry. He recently told ScreenRant that production is expected to start soon. It’s unclear at this stage who will join Brolin in Sicario 3, though del Toro’s character survived the events of Day of the Soldado. That means Gillick could also return for the third installment.

The question of direction remains open. Villeneuve is currently occupied with wrapping up Dune Part Three, which arrives in December. He is also attached to direct the next James Bond movie. Between those commitments, he’ll likely be too busy to take on Sicario 3.

The director situation is the wildest card in the deck. Villeneuve’s commitments mean he may not be available, which leaves the door open for a new filmmaker to step in. That could reshape the visual identity of the franchise, but it also means the core creative team remains intact.

Sheridan’s Other Big Project

Sheridan isn’t leaving the world of action films entirely. He’s writing the script for a Call of Duty movie, adapted from Activision’s military shooter franchise. Peter Berg is attached to direct that project. The long-awaited film is slated for release on June 30, 2028.

That timeline puts the Call of Duty movie well outside the window for Sicario: Capos. Whether the two projects will overlap in Sheridan’s schedule is unclear, but the Call of Duty script is clearly his other major commitment right now.

Why This Matters

The confirmation of Sheridan’s involvement is significant. The franchise has been in limbo for years, with rumors swirling about a third film that never seemed to materialize. Now there is actual movement: a writer attached, a lead actor confirmed, and a production timeline emerging.

Brolin’s return is a major draw. Del Toro’s possible return adds further weight, though his participation remains unconfirmed.

The director situation is the wild card. Villeneuve’s commitments mean he may not be available, which leaves the door open for a new filmmaker to step in. That could reshape the visual identity of the franchise, but it also means the core creative team remains intact.

The franchise has been waiting for this moment for years. Fans have heard rumors and speculation, but nothing concrete. Now there is a writer attached, a lead actor confirmed, and a production timeline emerging. The pieces are falling into place, and the wait for Sicario: Capos is almost over.

This is a win for fans of the franchise. Sheridan’s return as writer ensures the film stays true to the moral complexity that defined the originals. Brolin’s presence keeps the story anchored in familiar territory. And the fact that the film is actually happening at all is a relief after years of uncertainty.

The road ahead is paved with questions. Who will direct? Who else will appear? When will it arrive? Those answers will come, but for now the most important one is settled: Sicario is coming back, and Sheridan is bringing it.

See the video the story is built around at Polygon.

crime thriller · Josh Brolin · movie news · Sicario · Taylor Sheridan