Catherine Keener Joins 'Sicario' Sequel 'Soldado'

The follow up to 2015’s “Sicario” is underway, and Catherine Keener has now joined the project. “Soldado” will follow established characters Alejandro Gillick, played by Benicio Del Toro, and CIA agent Matt Graver, played by Josh Brolin as they continue to try and eliminate drugs and whatever else is being smuggled across the border.

READ MORE: Writer Taylor Sheridan Says ‘Soldado’ Is “More Unsentimental, More Vicious” Than The Original 

While not technically a sequel, “Soldado” will have many of the same characters and exist in the same world, but will be a standalone film in the series. Keener will play Brolin’s boss who struggles to figure out how to handle the not-so-legal tactics of Gillick and Graver.

“Sicario” director Denis Vileneuve had to pass on the film due to scheduling conflicts, so “Gomorrah” director Stefano Sollima will be taking over. “Sicario” writer Taylor Sheridan has penned the script for the followup, with chatter already swirling about a potential trilogy. One step at a time, but the first film was excellent, Sheridan is on a streak having just penned the terrific “Hell Or High Water,” and thus, expectations are high for this one.

“Soldado” will start filming next year. [Deadline]