For years, Sicario 3 has existed in that frustrating space between “still being developed” and “maybe it will never happen.” Now, Josh Brolin has given the franchise its clearest update in years. The actor, who played CIA operative Matt Graver in the first two films, says the third installment is happening and that production is expected to begin soon.
That is a meaningful change for a movie that has been discussed since the release of Sicario: Day of the Soldado in 2018. There is still no public filming date, director announcement or complete cast confirmation, but Brolin’s comments suggest the project has moved considerably closer to becoming an actual production.
Josh Brolin’s Update Is More Confident Than Before
Brolin discussed the movie while promoting The Dog Stars, telling ScreenRant that Sicario 3 “is happening” and indicating that production will start “soon.” The comments are brief, but they carry more weight than some of the vague updates that have surrounded the sequel over the years.
The timing is also interesting because Brolin had previously suggested that the project was becoming increasingly real. This time, however, he isn’t talking about a possibility somewhere down the road. He is speaking about the third film as something that is moving toward production.
That still leaves plenty of room between an optimistic actor update and cameras actually rolling. No specific start date has been announced publicly, and several major creative details remain unknown.
Matt Graver Could Be Heading Back to the Border
Brolin’s involvement is important because Matt Graver has been one of the franchise’s defining characters. In Denis Villeneuve’s 2015 original, Graver operated within a secretive government task force alongside Alejandro Gillick, played by Benicio del Toro. The 2018 sequel shifted the focus further toward the two men and their increasingly brutal methods.
Both films were written by Taylor Sheridan, whose career has expanded dramatically since the original Sicario. His television workload has grown into an enormous slate, including the Yellowstone universe and series such as Lioness, Landman, Tulsa King and Mayor of Kingstown.
That workload has been one of the practical complications surrounding another Sicario. Producer Thad Luckinbill recently acknowledged that discussions about the third movie are continuing and said the team hopes to make it, while also pointing to Sheridan’s extremely busy schedule.
The Director Is Still a Major Mystery
One of the biggest unanswered pieces is sitting behind the camera.
Denis Villeneuve directed the original Sicario, giving the film its stark visual identity and oppressive atmosphere. Stefano Sollima took over for Day of the Soldado. Neither has been confirmed as the director of the third movie. Recent reporting also notes that a director has yet to be publicly announced.
That could become one of the most closely watched announcements whenever Sicario 3 moves into its next stage.
The project has previously been associated with Christopher McQuarrie, although the exact nature of his involvement has remained unclear. His name has appeared in earlier reporting around the movie, but there is no confirmed announcement establishing him as the director.
Benicio del Toro and Emily Blunt Are Still Open Questions
Brolin’s return doesn’t automatically answer what the rest of the original cast might look like.
Benicio del Toro’s Alejandro survived the events of Day of the Soldado, leaving a clear narrative route for the character to return. His presence would also preserve the partnership that became central to the second movie.
Emily Blunt is a different situation. She played FBI agent Kate Macer in the 2015 original but did not return for Day of the Soldado. Her possible involvement in a third installment has been discussed in connection with the franchise, but there is currently no official confirmation that she will appear.
For now, Brolin is the one major returning actor directly tied to the new update.
The Franchise Has Been Waiting Since 2018
The gap between Sicario movies has become part of the story itself.
The original arrived in 2015, followed by Sicario: Day of the Soldado in 2018. Since then, the third movie has repeatedly surfaced in development updates without reaching production. The project has also faced interruptions connected to the writing process, including the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.
That long development period makes Brolin’s latest statement stand out. A movie that once seemed stuck in an endless cycle of scripts and discussions is now being described by one of its stars as something that will actually move into production.
Still, the word “soon” needs to be treated carefully. Until a filming date, director or formal production announcement arrives, the project remains short on specifics.
A Third Sicario Movie Has a Lot to Live Up To
The appeal of another Sicario isn’t simply the return of familiar characters. The first movie built its reputation around tension, atmosphere and a deliberately uncomfortable look at the war on drugs along the U.S.-Mexico border. The sequel expanded that world while putting Graver and Alejandro further into the center of the story.
A third movie therefore has to find another reason for these characters to return.
For Brolin, at least, that return now appears to be getting closer. Sicario 3 still needs to reveal its director, additional cast members and production schedule, but after years of uncertainty, Josh Brolin has finally provided the clearest sign yet that the franchise isn’t finished.
Sujal Singh and Nikev Maze are the founders and editors of Cinemazze, where they lead the platform’s editorial vision and content strategy. With a deep interest in the entertainment industry, they focus on delivering timely coverage of movies, television series, streaming releases, celebrity news, trailers, and major industry developments. Their editorial approach combines accurate reporting with audience-focused storytelling, helping readers stay informed about the latest trends shaping modern entertainment. Through Cinemazze, they aim to build a trusted destination for entertainment enthusiasts by publishing well-researched articles, insightful analysis, and up-to-date news sourced from official announcements, verified interviews, studio releases, and other credible public sources. Their commitment to quality, transparency, and reader value remains at the core of Cinemazze’s mission as it continues to grow within the digital entertainment media landscape.
