Taylor Sheridan’s brainchild Sicario was a 2015 film that follows an FBI agent tasked with bringing down a Mexican drug cartel. Remarkably intense, it stands as a testament to its unconventional theme, which caused it to linger on the sidelines for years before finally materializing into production. The narrative, driven by a strong female protagonist, and punctuated by its raw violence, captured the fascination of many. Yet, its appeal could not easily sway people to take charge. A cinematic gem that intrigued everyone, yet nobody wanted to bring it to life.
In a conversation with a publication, the filmmaker thus delved into the intricacies of why the project was evaded by many and the prolonged delay it took to come to fruition.
Taylor Sheridan’s Sicario Was Shelved for Many Years
The brooding film from 2015 possessed all the elements required for a blockbuster, yet these very components posed a challenge for people to fully grasp in terms of execution. Taylor Sheridan originally wrote the screenplay almost three years before it got into production. He suspected it was because of its plot line and the subject matter. He revealed,
“It was kind of untouchable because of the subject matter. Because of a female protagonist. Because of the violence. No one wanted to touch it, no one wanted to make a movie about that world. It had countless strikes against it.”
In addition to that, it was the Sons of Anarchy star’s debut screenplay. As he sought to unravel the violence that now defines the said region. He delved into the complex moral landscape faced by officials on both sides of the border which many felt uncomfortable to dig deep into. But alas, those who did, did a great job. Sheridan’s story comes alive under Denis Villeneuve’s adept direction, blending performances with a compelling soundtrack and Roger Deakins’ expert cinematography to craft a timely and gripping thriller with Emily Blunt being the heart of it all.
Taylor Sheridan Had to Go Out on a Limb to Make Sicario Happen
With that being said, following Sheridan’s completion of the screenplay, he found himself devoid of any agents to circulate the script within the industry. Consequently, he turned to his attorney, who, captivated by the content, orchestrated several deals on his behalf as the script began changing hands. Entranced by its narrative, the attorney subsequently handed it over to an agent, kickstarting the process of getting around within the industry. He said,
“I sent it to the attorney who had negotiated a few deals for me and didn’t want to negotiate any more, and I was like, “I’m begging you, please, please read this. I don’t know what to do.” He read the script and was very taken by it, so he took it and put it in the hands of some agents who liked me. They staked their reputation on it and started sending it around.”
The script was nearly put on hold for three years, but things began to pick up speed once it reached the right people. He continued saying,
“The funny thing is, by the time Sicario actually got produced, I had sold probably six or seven other scripts. It was impossible to put together for three years and then in three months it went from sitting on a shelf to going into production”
Therefore, Basil Iwanyk gradually became a part of the team, followed by Molly Smith, and eventually Denis Villeneuve. The pieces of the puzzle began to align, initiating a gradual buildup that propelled things forward from that point onward.
Source: UPROXX
