When screenwriter Taylor Sheridan first pitched his script for Sicario in 2014, a producer kept him waiting 25 minutes before suggesting a simple change that would increase the budget by millions. The producer wanted to rewrite FBI agent Kate Macer as a male character for a big-name actor.
Sheridan’s response was immediate and profane. “Pretty good script. Um. What do you think of making Kate a man and what do you think of so and so playing it?” the producer asked. Sheridan replied, “Go f*ck yourself.” The producer responded, “Have a nice day,” and Sheridan left his office (via Awards Daily).
This confrontation occurred a full year before director Denis Villeneuve joined the project. The studio pressure stemmed from financial calculations, as producers believed attaching a male star could increase the production budget.
Emily Blunt Called Studio Pressure to Change Gender “Gross“
Emily Blunt, who ultimately starred as Kate Macer, addressed the controversy in multiple interviews during Sicario‘s 2015 release. She confirmed that financial incentives drove the studio’s resistance to keeping her character female. The LA Times reported Blunt saying,
There was some initial pressure there for the rather gross fact that you could up the budget by another third if you make it a guy. That’s so gross. You completely alter the dynamic of the piece. The interesting fact for the audience is that she is a woman. There’s something unusual about that.
Director Denis Villeneuve revealed at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival that Sheridan faced multiple requests to rewrite Kate as male, but the filmmaker never wavered in his support for keeping the character female.
Sheridan based Kate Macer on a real woman he met who held a position equivalent to the CIA operative. The screenwriter intentionally wrote Kate as a passive character who remains in the dark throughout the investigation, mirroring the audience’s confusion about the moral ambiguities of the d*ug war. Sheridan explained in his Awards Daily interview,
She has to be the eyes of the audience. She has to say the things we’re thinking
He knew only an actress of exceptional talent could make a character who primarily observes and questions feel compelling rather than weak.
Where to Stream Sicario Online For Free
Sicario is currently available for streaming on various platforms, though availability varies by region and subscription service. The film can be rented or purchased through digital platforms.
The financial gamble of keeping Kate Macer female paid off substantially at the box office. Sicario earned $84.9 million worldwide against its $30 million production budget (via Box Office Mojo). Critics embraced the film overwhelmingly, awarding it a 91 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 280 reviews and a Metacritic score of 82 out of 100, indicating universal acclaim.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognized Sicario with three Oscar nominations for Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Sound Editing (via IMDb). Emily Blunt received multiple acting nominations from critics’ groups including the Critics’ Choice Awards, Empire Awards, and Saturn Awards.
The film launched Sheridan’s career as a major screenwriter, leading to his Oscar-nominated script for Hell or High Water in 2016 and his directorial debut with Wind River in 2017. Sheridan has since become one of television’s most prolific creators. His Yellowstone universe has spawned multiple spinoffs including 1883, 1923, and upcoming series featuring characters from the flagship show.
In October 2025, Sheridan signed a massive deal with NBCUniversal beginning in 2029 (via The Hollywood Reporter), cementing his position as one of entertainment’s most powerful figures.
What are your thoughts on Hollywood’s pressure to change female leads for bigger budgets? Share your perspective in the comments below.
Sicario is currently available for streaming on Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus in the United States.
