‘Sicario’ Director Denis Villeneuve Loves ‘Sicario: Day Of The Soldado’
SicariofilmmakerDenis Villeneuvedidn’t return to helm the sequelSicario: Day of the Soldado, but he still has plenty to say about the film. In fact, Villeneuve loves the sequel, and offered up a rave review forStefano Sollima’s upcoming film.
Denis Villeneuve’s direction of his 2015 filmSiciarioelevated what could’ve been a standard action-thriller into an incredibly tense character piece full of surprises. So when I learned Villeneuve wasn’t returning forSicario: Day of the Soldado, I was a bit apprehensive. But early word indicatesSicario 2issurprisingly good, and even Villeneuve himself has offered words of praise for the film.
Villeneuve praised both the movie and new director Stefano Sollima, telling producers he thoughtDay of the Soldadowas “a knockout” and that “Sollima did a masterful follow up toSicario. I was blown away!“IndieWireasked Villeneuve for more thoughts on the film, and theBlade Runner 2049directer obliged, saying:
“Having seen his film, I’m proud to say that Stefano did an impressive, powerful, masterful follow-up…It’s a hell of a good movie!”
Sicario: Day of the Soldadohas originalSicariostarsBenicio del ToroandJosh Brolinreturning for another dread-filled saga centered around a drug war. Like Villeneuve,SicariostarEmily Bluntdid not return for the follow-up, but producers have indicated they want Blunt to return for a potential third film.SicarioandSicario: Day of the Soldadoscreenwriter Taylor Sheridan already has an idea for a thirdSicariofilm, as producer Trent Luckinbillconfirmed:
Star Benicio del Toro weighed in about working with both Villeneuve and Sollima on both films. “I had a good time working with both of them, it was just, like, much respect for both of them,” the actor toldEntertainment Weekly. “I think that Stefano had to come in a little bit like, you know, where Josh and myself, we have played these characters before, so he had to deal a little bit with that, and I think he did a really good job of allowing both Josh and myself to put ourselves on the table about the characters and how they would react in situations and all that stuff, so it was very inclusive that way.” Del Toro added:
“I think Stefano, under the circumstances, is coming in and being the director of these movies and the style and success… I thinkSicariois cinematically, in terms of cinematically, he did a really good job and in terms of bringing that quality — the standards of the quality — up. I don’t know if there’s one single thing that I would say. … I think they are both very talented and I think Stefano showed that he was definitely one of those really up-and-coming directors.”
Villeneuve has both the crime thrillerThe Sonand the sci-fi epicDunein development, butSicarioproducer Ed McDonnellpreviously revealedthere were discussions about Villeneuve possibly returning to helm the third film, if and when it happens.Sicario: Day of the SoldadoopensJune 29, 2018.
FBI agent Matt Graver calls on mysterious operative Alejandro Gillick when Mexican drug cartels start to smuggle terrorists across the U.S. border. The war escalates even further when Alejandro kidnaps a top kingpin’s daughter to deliberately increase the tensions. When the young girl is seen as collateral damage, the two men will determine her fate as they question everything that they are fighting for.
