Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro to return for ‘Sicario 2’

“We’re in full development with the studio. I just got a draft and we’re really excited,” co-producer Molly Smith said.

“Sicario 2” will be written by Taylor Sheridan, the actor who also wrote the first film.

Confirming the returning cast, co-producer Thad Luckinbill said, “We can’t reveal the plot, but you’ll see [Blunt, Del Toro and Brolin] all come back. 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.”

Luckinbill said Denis Villeneuve was not yet attached to return.

“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,” he said.

A drama thriller, “Sicario” was nominated for three Oscars and grossed USD 80 million worldwide over USD 30 million budget.

It follows Blunt’s idealistic FBI agent, who is enlisted by an elite government task force official to aid in the escalating war against drugs.