Earlier this month,we reportedthat theSicariosequel has received a title,Soldado(meaning “soldier”), along with a new director,Stefano Sollima, who directed the Italian miniseriesGomorrah. We also reported thatJosh BrolinandBenicio del Torowould return, and the story would focus on del Toro’s mysterious character.
Now in an interview withThe Independent[viaThe Film Stage], Sollima has provided some new details about what he has planned not just forSoldado, but for future films in the franchise as well. “It’s not a real sequel,” Sollima explained. “It’s absolutely a standalone movie - a completely different story with just two of the characters that you met inSicario. “The reason that I love [Soldado] is because it’s not exactly a sequel; it’s something you can catch and enjoy even if you haven’t watched the first one.”
He goes on to say, “The antagonists are now absolutely the main characters.” Sollima’s comments suggest that contrary toprevious reports,Emily Blunt’s character was never meant to return for a future installment.
As for taking over the reins fromDenis Villeneuve, Sollima says:
“I lovedSicario. I feel the movie was quite similar to my approach so, to me, I’m just shooting another movie.Soldadowill be much more cinematic thanSicariowas; it’s got an incredible amount of huge action sequences in there. It will be a different journey in the same world. Even the theme is different - it’s not drug dealing, it’s more on immigration.”
Saying you’ll be “much more cinematic” thanSicariois an odd criticism to make. It’s not likeSicariowas shot like a TV special. It had Roger Deakins as the cinematographer! It got nominated for an Oscar for Best Cinematography! I’m curious to see what Sollima has planned, especially if he thinks he can make his movie “more cinematic” than the stunningSicario.
