Sicario 3 Confirmed: Josh Brolin Reveals Franchise Return
Sicario 3 Is Officially Happening: Everything You Need to Know About the Next Chapter
The Big News: Josh Brolin Confirms the Third Film
After years of rumors and whispers, Josh Brolin has officially confirmed that "Sicario 3" is happening. The actor, who plays CIA operative Matt Graver, recently told ScreenRant that production will be starting "soon." This is the first solid confirmation we’ve gotten after years of speculation.
IMPORTANT POINT: This isn’t just a rumor anymore — the star of the franchise has confirmed the third movie is a go!
What Is "Sicario" Anyway? (ELI5 Explanation)
Think of "Sicario" like a super intense, realistic cop movie but instead of regular criminals, the bad guys are powerful Mexican drug cartels.
The First Two Movies at a Glance:
| Movie | Year | Main Stars | What It’s About |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sicario | 2015 | Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio del Toro | An FBI agent gets pulled into a secret government mission against cartels |
| Sicario: Day of the Soldado | 2018 | Josh Brolin, Benicio del Toro | The CIA operatives go rogue in an even darker mission |
Key facts about the franchise:
- Writer/Creator: Taylor Sheridan (who later created "Yellowstone" and became a huge Hollywood power player)
- Style: Extremely dark, gritty, and realistic — not your typical action movie
- Reputation: Both films are considered exceptional by critics and fans
- Famous Scene: The tunnel sequence in the first movie is considered a masterclass in filmmaking — it builds incredible tension with almost no dialogue
Who’s Involved So Far?
Confirmed/Highly Likely:
- Josh Brolin — Returning as Matt Graver (CIA operative)
- Taylor Sheridan — Writing (he wrote the first two)
- Benicio del Toro — Expected to return as Alejandro Gillick (mysterious hitman)
Producer Hinting It’s Real:
- Thad Luckinbill (producer on first two films, also stars in Sheridan’s "Lioness") told Entertainment Weekly: "We’re hoping to do it, so fingers crossed. It would be great to get to do another one for the fans. And, honestly, for me, too. Like, I’m a fan of it. Even though I produced it, I wanna see it."
Why This Matters for Movie Fans
Numbered Reasons to Be Excited:
- Taylor Sheridan at his best — These movies launched his career as one of Hollywood’s best storytellers
- Rare R-rated intelligence — Smart, adult thrillers that don’t talk down to the audience
- Incredible cinematography — The first film was shot by Roger Deakins (14-time Oscar nominee)
- Unfinished business — The second movie ended with major cliffhangers for both main characters
- We need more great movies — As the article says: "We can use all the awesome entertainment we can get"
What We Don’t Know Yet (But Are Dying to Find Out)
- Release date — "Production starting soon" could mean 2025 or 2026 release
- Director — Denis Villeneuve directed #1, Stefano Sollima directed #2. Who’s next?
- Plot details — Will it pick up right after Day of the Soldado? Time jump?
- Emily Blunt’s return — Her character Kate Macer was the heart of the first film
- Title — Just "Sicario 3"? Or something like "Sicario: [Subtitle]"?
Summary: The Bottom Line
Sicario 3 is officially happening. Josh Brolin confirmed it, the producer is "hoping" for it, and Taylor Sheridan — one of the best writers working today — will almost certainly be writing it. The first two films are modern classics of the thriller genre: dark, smart, beautifully shot, and unflinchingly realistic about the drug war. If you haven’t seen them, watch them now so you’re ready when the third one arrives.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Do I need to watch the first two movies before the third one comes out?
Yes, absolutely. These movies tell one continuous story with the same main characters. The second film picks up directly from threads in the first. You’ll be completely lost without them — plus, they’re both fantastic films worth watching anyway.
What does "Sicario" mean?
It’s Spanish for "hitman" or "assassin." In the context of the movies, it specifically refers to cartel killers. Benicio del Toro’s character Alejandro is a former prosecutor turned sicario working with/against the CIA.
Is this a superhero movie or fantasy?
Not at all. This is the opposite of a superhero movie. There are no powers, no CGI monsters, no good guys winning easily. It’s a brutal, realistic look at the drug war where morality is gray, violence has consequences, and the "good guys" do terrible things.
Why did it take so long to get a third movie?
Taylor Sheridan became insanely busy creating the "Yellowstone" universe (Yellowstone, 1883, 1923, 6666, Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, Lioness, Landman…). He essentially built his own TV empire. Now he’s returning to movies after a five-year break.
Will the third movie be as violent as the first two?
Almost certainly yes. The franchise is defined by its unflinching portrayal of violence — not glorified, but shown as ugly, sudden, and consequential. If you found the first two hard to watch, the third won’t be any easier.
Article based on reporting by David Hookstead for OutKick. Have thoughts on Sicario 3? Email David at David.Hookstead@outkick.com