Emily Blunt was not included in Sicario: Day of the Soldado primarily because her character, Kate Macer, served as a moral guide for the audience in the first film, a narrative element that the director of Soldado chose to omit for the sequel's darker and more morally ambiguous tone. This shift in storytelling direction largely explains her continued absence from discussions around the forthcoming Sicario 3.
The Evolving Narrative of the Sicario Franchise
The Sicario film series is renowned for its gritty realism and exploration of the complexities of the drug war. Each installment pushes the boundaries of its narrative focus, leading to shifts in character emphasis and thematic exploration.
Kate Macer's Pivotal Role in the First Film
In the original Sicario (2015), Emily Blunt's character, Kate Macer, an FBI agent, was central to the audience's experience. She represented:
- The audience's surrogate: Her moral compass and initial idealism allowed viewers to grapple with the brutal realities she encountered.
- A moral anchor: Through her eyes, the ethical dilemmas and the blurred lines between good and evil in the war on drugs were profoundly explored.
- A symbol of innocence lost: Her journey depicted the crushing impact of the grim realities on an individual committed to justice within legal frameworks.
Her presence was crucial for providing a point of relatability and empathy amidst the escalating violence and questionable tactics employed by characters like Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro) and Matt Graver (Josh Brolin).
Director's Rationale for Her Absence in Day of the Soldado
When developing Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018), the filmmakers opted for a more unvarnished and ruthless approach, moving away from the need for a moral observer. The director of Soldado articulated that while Emily Blunt is an exceptional actress, her character's function as a "moral guidance for the audience" was simply not a requirement for the sequel's narrative.
Shifting Thematic Focus
Soldado pivoted to a more direct and bleak portrayal of the clandestine operations and the escalating conflict between drug cartels and the U.S. government. This shift meant:
- Increased focus on anti-heroes: The story centered predominantly on the morally ambiguous characters of Alejandro and Matt, delving deeper into their methodologies and the consequences of their actions without an external moral arbiter.
- Bleaker tone: The film embraced a more cynical and brutal outlook, where conventional morality had little place. The removal of Kate Macer allowed for an unhindered exploration of this darker world.
Implications for the Future: Sicario 3
Given the established narrative trajectory set by Sicario: Day of the Soldado, it is highly probable that Emily Blunt's character will also not be a part of Sicario 3. The planned continuation of the franchise is expected to maintain the grim, morally grey tone established in Soldado, further exploring the world of Alejandro and Matt without the need for an audience stand-in.
The creative decision to exclude Kate Macer from Day of the Soldado was a deliberate choice to shift the series' thematic focus, and this artistic direction is likely to persist in subsequent installments like Sicario 3.
Below is a summary of the character's role and narrative shifts across the franchise:
| Film | Kate Macer's Role | Primary Narrative Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Sicario (2015) | Main protagonist, audience's moral compass | Moral ambiguity, ethical dilemmas, initiation into a dark world |
| Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018) | Absent | Unfiltered brutality, anti-hero focus, covert operations |
| Sicario 3 (Implied) | Likely absent (consistent with Soldado's tone) | Continued exploration of the dark, morally complex world |
The decision to exclude Kate Macer was therefore a strategic storytelling choice, enabling the franchise to delve into deeper, more unsettling territory without a conventional protagonist to anchor the audience's perspective.
