After working as an actor on shows like Sons of Anarchy and Veronica Mars, Taylor Sheridan bravely took a path toward realizing his creative potential and ended up in the writer’s chair. And what a transition it has been! His remarkable evolution blossomed with Sicario’s gripping screenplay, a brilliant example of his storytelling prowess.
The 2015 action-thriller, helmed by the visionary Denis Villeneuve, not only set a milestone for 21st-century cinema but also served as a vehicle for Emily Blunt’s powerful portrayal of Kate Mercer, an FBI agent waging a relentless battle against the drug cartels.
Deeply grounded in reality, Blunt’s character was inspired by a formidable real-life figure, mirroring Sheridan’s quest for authentic, multi-dimensional storytelling. You may be surprised to learn that the studio actually considered casting a man in the role before The Fall Guy actress was chosen.
How Taylor Sheridan Defied Studio Pressure in Sicario Casting
Taylor Sheridan had a vision for the character of Kate Mercer (played by Emily Blunt) in the critically acclaimed film Sicario that defied stereotypes. He wanted to portray a woman who had “sacrificed” and struggled to achieve her position of authority and who was willing to fight for justice at any cost to herself.
Early on in the process, Sheridan, 54, met with a producer who asked him to recast the role as male (via Variety). But in his response, he employed a “couple of strong adjectives”. According to him:
I didn’t want it to be just this do-gooder guy. I wanted it to be someone that had sacrificed a tremendous amount to achieve her position of respect and authority, and I wanted to see the consequences on her face. I didn’t want it to be, you know, Ronda Rousey.
That being said, the man behind Yellowstone was determined to create a female character who was not just physically strong, but mentally and “emotionally” resilient as well. To quote Sheridan:
I didn’t want it to be this physically superior being. I wanted it to be somebody that was mentally strong and emotionally strong and had willed herself to be respected and good at her job, and it took a tremendous toll on her personal life, and to me, that was indicative of her dedication.
Inspired by an “actual person” he met, Sheridan crafted Kate Mercer as a character who embodied strength, intelligence, and dedication. The Wind River director was drawn to her essence, and her commitment to her job:
Kate’s based on an actual person. When I met the person, I was so taken by that essence in her.
Thus, Blunt’s portrayal of Kate Mercer in the Denis Villeneuve-helmed flick captured the essence of Sheridan’s vision, bringing to life a complex & compelling character.
Why Emily Blunt Didn’t Return For Sicario’s Sequel
Sicario, which grossed $84.9 million worldwide against a $30 million budget (Box Office Mojo), was a box office hit and most likely inspired Taylor Sheridan to write the follow-up, which was helmed by Stefano Sollima.
Sicario: Day of the Soldado reunited Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin with Jeffrey Donovan and Raoul Trujillo, the stars of the first film. Unfortunately, though, Emily Blunt didn’t reprise her role as Kate Macer. In 2018, the sequel’s director, Sollima, revealed to Business Insider that he had a specific rationale for leaving Kate Macer out of the story:
Emily Blunt is an amazing actress, but her role was sort of a moral guidance for the audience. In Soldado [2], we don’t have that. This is closer to my vision of storytelling. I prefer not to have a moral guidance for the audience.
The 2018 film offers a more in-depth look at the activities of Mexican drug cartels. Sicario: Day of the Soldado earned mostly positive reviews from critics and ended up making over $75 million on a $35–45 million budget (Box Office Mojo) with a 62% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. That being said, the third film (Sicario: Capos) is in development.
Regardless, thanks to Sheridan’s dedication to creating a compelling and true-to-life character, Blunt’s portrayal of Kate Mercer has become a standout among action movies, earning the film a permanent place in the pantheon of great thrillers.
Stream Sicario on Amazon Prime Video, while Sicario: Day of the Soldado is available on Hulu.
