Josh Brolin Confirms Sicario 3 Progress Without Taylor Sheridan

The third installment of the Sicario crime thriller franchise is moving through script development, with Josh Brolin confirming progress despite Taylor Sheridan's absence from the writing team. Speaking to ScreenRant at New York Comic Con 2026, Brolin discussed the project, which is expected to reunite him with Emily Blunt and Benicio del Toro under director Padraic McKinley, with Steven Knight writing the screenplay.

ScreenRant reported on October 9, 2026, that the production team was still refining the script. Filming is expected to begin in 2027, according to a separate report from Fox News published October 6.

The latest developments clarify Sheridan's role in the sequel after conflicting reports about who would write it. Variety had previously reported that Sheridan had completed the screenplay, but Deadline subsequently identified Knight as the writer and McKinley as the director.

Brolin described the production as an ongoing creative process, emphasizing that the screenplay has not yet reached its final stage.

"still working on it" and are currently "in the notes process" of developing the sequel.

He also praised McKinley's contributions to the project and acknowledged the adjustment involved in moving forward with a different screenwriter.

"great filmmaker"

"great notes"

"juggly process."

The change marks a departure from Sheridan's involvement in the earlier films. He wrote the original Sicario, released in 2015 and directed by Denis Villeneuve, before the franchise continued with Sicario: Day of the Soldado in 2018.

Brolin expressed enthusiasm about reuniting with his longtime collaborators after the extended wait for another installment.

Then you find it, and then we all get super happy, and we all can't wait to get on set. We all can't wait to get on set anyway. It's been a while.

We adore each other, and we've all worked together before. Benicio and I, this will be our sixth film together. It's fantastic [to work with Emily again].

I just sent her a little voice memo yesterday, and I just adore her, I adore her. I think the work right now has reached a level that's just untouchable.

Blunt appeared in the first Sicario film, while Brolin and del Toro starred in both earlier installments. Their return for the third movie brings the three actors together again as the franchise prepares to move into its next chapter.

The project has faced delays over several years, including disruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. Brolin's other commitments have also coincided with the prolonged development period, according to ScreenRant.

Knight's appointment introduces a new creative voice to the franchise. His previous work includes the Peaky Blinders series and the World War II drama SAS: Rogue Heroes, while Sheridan has continued developing projects across film and television.

ScreenRant reported that Sheridan is balancing several projects, including The Madison, Landman, a Call of Duty movie, a potential fourth season of Lioness and the Tulsa King spinoff Frisco King. He is also transitioning to a new first-look deal at NBCUniversal.

The original Sicario helped establish Sheridan as a screenwriter and became the first installment in his American Frontier trilogy, followed by Hell or High Water and Wind River. The third film's development now rests with Knight and McKinley as the team continues revising the screenplay ahead of the anticipated 2027 production start.