Emily Blunt not back for Sicario 2 - and it wasn't her choice

Emily Blunt will not be reprising her role in the new Sicario sequel after being written out. Photo/Supplied

The best part of one of last year's best movies won't be returning for the sequel.

It was revealed earlier this year that Emily Blunt would not be reprising her role in Soldado, the sequel to last year's critical hit Sicario.

The screenwriter has finally confirmed the news - and revealed he hasn't spoken to the actress about his decision yet.

"That was my decision, and at some point I'm going to have to talk to her about it," Taylor Sheridan told The Wrap.

Sicario, which was Sheridan's first screenplay, starred Blunt as FBI agent Kate Macer who gets brought into a special task force to try to stop a Mexican drugs operation. She has to deal with scheming and darker intentions from Alejandro Gillick and Matt Graver, played by Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin.

Blunt earned high praise for her performance and a number of critics' awards nominations, but despite this she was still written out. Sheridan has defended the decision, saying that he had completed the character's arc.

"I couldn't figure out a way to write a character that would do her talent justice... Look what she went through. It was a difficult role. Here I write this lead character and then I use her as a surrogate for the audience. I make her completely passive against her own will so the audience feels the same impotence that a lot of law enforcement officers feel, I drag her through hell, and betray her in the end. It was an arduous journey for the character, and for Emily."

Burn Notice actor Jeffery Donovan, who had a small role in the original, told Collider that the sequel will revolve around his character, Brolin's and del Toro's starting a war between rival Mexican cartels on purpose.

Sheridan joked that he didn't want the movie to become like Taken, with Kate moving to a small town and getting kidnapped. He also has left the door open for her to return, presuming a third movie is ordered.

Sicario director, Denis Villeneuve, won't be returning for Soldado either, and will be replaced by Stefano Sollima.

While she will likely be disappointed, Blunt is about to play Mary Poppins in a new Disney sequel, so likely won't be worried when it comes to future career prospects.