Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin back for ‘Sicario 2’

A sequel to last year’s gritty thriller Sicario is now in “full development”, with cast-members Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin all set to return.

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, the film’s producers said that the follow-up will also be written by Taylor Sheridan, the actor who also wrote the first film.

“We’re in full development with the studio,” Molly Smith said. “ I just got a draft and we’re really excited.” Her co-producer Thad Luckinbill then claimed that the original cast are all “on board”.

Third producer Trent Luckinbill talked about the “great big world” that can be utilised in the sequel.

“We can’t reveal the plot, but you’ll see [Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin] all come back,” he said. “You have such a great character with Benicio, who was as dark as he was and still so loved. That character resonates so well with audiences. People want to know what happened to him, so it’s a perfect foray for us to explore. Obviously we would love it if Denis could [direct]. He’s a busy man, but he’s certainly part of the process with us right now.”

Sicario was a surprise hit last year after bowing to positive reviews at Cannes. From a $30 million (Dh110 million) budget, it made $80 million worldwide. It starred Emily Blunt as an idealistic FBI agent who found herself in the middle of the war against drugs.