Zoe Saldana’s New Movie Is Actually Sicario 3?
In 2015, Dune director, Denis Villeneuve, joined with Yellowstone universe creator, Taylor Sheridan to pen the script for the Josh Brolin-led thriller, Sicario. The first of a two-film franchise, the movie would go on to help Sheridan build his now series-sprawling Yellowstone which in turn allowed him to move forward with his most recent series, Special Ops: Lioness.
For fans of Sicario who were always hoping for another film following the 2018 sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, Special Ops: Lioness may be as close as you’ll come to having your wish fulfilled.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the show’s star, Zoe Saldana, explains how the two projects are similar to one another with Special Ops: Lioness’ main character sharing many traits reminiscent of Brolin’s Matt Graver.
In Special Ops: Lioness, Zoe Saldaña stars as Joe, a CIA Specialist who, along with other female agents, goes undercover to win over the trust of the wives, girlfriends, and daughters of terrorists. Like Brolin’s Matt Graver, sometimes Joe’s tactics push the morality of the mission, walking an ever-tight line between right and wrong.
For fans of Sicario who were always hoping for another film following the 2018 sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, Special Ops: Lioness may be as close as you’ll come to having your wish fulfilled.
The Cast of Special Ops: Lioness
Along with Zoe Saldana, the Paramount+ series boasts a dynamic cast of powerhouse performances from the likes of Nicole Kidman, Laysla De Oliveira, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, Morgan Freeman, Hannah Love Lanier, James Jordan, Jonah Wharton, Dave Annable, Austin Hébert, Stephanie Nur, Martin Donovan, Michael Kelly, and Sam Ashgari.
With two episodes already streaming on the platform, new installments are set to come out weekly until the finale airs on September 3.
For Taylor Sheridan, the project marks a departure from his long-running years spent immersing himself in the Yellowstone universe which includes the original Kevin Costner-led series, and a handful of spin-offs including 1883 and 1923 as well as upcoming projects like Lawmen: Bass Reeves and 6666.
Although she was at first nervous about working with the critically acclaimed writer on Special Ops: Lioness, Zoe Saldana eventually came around to the idea, reaching out to Sheridan a full year after he invited her onto the show. Luckily for her, Sheridan knew that no other performer could fill in the leading role like the Avatar franchise star, and had been saving the spot for when she had the time to dive into a new project.
As for Zoe Saldana, the celebrated actress who made her debut in the 2000 film Center Stage has had a busy few years raking in big numbers at the box office. 2022 saw the actress star in The Adam Project and Amsterdam as well as returning to her role in James Cameron’s colorful world of Pandora in Avatar: The Way of Water.
Taylor Sheridan knew that no other performer could fill in the leading role like the Avatar franchise star, and had been saving the spot for when Saldan had the time to dive into a new project.
Already this year, she’s brought tears to the eyes of Marvel fans all over the world in the third and final installment in James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, and will also appear in Marco Perego’s The Absence of Eden later this year.
You can see Zoe Saldana in all her glory by catching up on the first two episodes of Special Ops: Lioness which are now streaming on Paramount+ with new episodes to follow weekly.
