Taylor Sheridan, the creative force behind Yellowstone, 1923, and Mayor of Kingstown, is making a long-awaited return to the big screen — and he’s bringing Brandon Sklenar along for the ride. The two are reuniting for Fast, a newly announced action thriller that’s already generating considerable buzz. While production hasn’t begun, early updates promise a film loaded with high-octane action, emotional depth, and the signature grit we’ve come to expect from Sheridan’s work.
The Story of Fast: Duty, Disillusionment, and Covert Warfare
At its core, Fast centers around a former U.S. Special Forces officer who is approached by the Drug Enforcement Agency to lead a black ops strike team. But this isn’t just another action film. Sheridan’s script dives deep into the psychological toll of war and the blurred lines between heroism and moral ambiguity — themes that have defined much of his career.
The protagonist, played by Sklenar, is a man wrestling with a complicated past, dragged back into a world he tried to escape. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a covert mission aimed at dismantling a powerful drug syndicate with ties to the CIA.
This setup feels tailor-made for Sheridan. It’s reminiscent of Wind River, Sicario, and even Special Ops: Lioness — projects that explore the personal cost of fighting shadow wars while spotlighting flawed, deeply human characters.
Why Brandon Sklenar Is the Perfect Fit
After his powerful performance in 1923, Brandon Sklenar has proven his ability to handle emotionally rich and physically intense roles. In Fast, he’s stepping into a role that demands internal conflict, resilience, and moral complexity — traits he portrayed beautifully as Spencer Dutton.
Casting Sklenar isn’t just a smart move — it’s a continuation of the Sheridan universe, where familiar faces bring new layers to similarly rugged characters. If Fast is even half as compelling as 1923, fans are in for something special.
Juliana Canfield Joins the Cast
Juliana Canfield, best known for her work in Succession, has also been cast in Fast, though her role remains under wraps. While she may not seem like an obvious choice for an action thriller, her strong dramatic chops suggest a potentially vital supporting role — perhaps someone who grounds the protagonist emotionally or adds a layer of political complexity to the plot.
Canfield’s chemistry with Sklenar will be something to watch closely. Given the intensity of Sheridan’s stories, even the quieter characters often carry major emotional weight.
Behind the Camera: Ben Richardson Makes His Feature Directorial Debut
One of the most exciting aspects of Fast is that it marks the feature directorial debut of Ben Richardson, a long-time collaborator with Sheridan. Richardson previously worked as a cinematographer and director on episodes of 1883, Yellowstone, and Mayor of Kingstown.
Richardson’s eye for storytelling and deep understanding of Sheridan’s tone and themes make him a natural choice for this leap to the big screen. His involvement ensures that Fast will be both visually striking and emotionally resonant.
A Long Journey to Production
Interestingly, Fast isn’t a brand-new concept. Sheridan reportedly wrote the script in the mid-2000s, and Warner Bros. initially acquired the project in 2018. At one point, Chris Pratt was considered for the lead, and Sheridan himself was rumored to direct.
However, due to budget issues and the impact of the pandemic, the film was shelved — until now. With Sheridan’s massive success in the TV space, studios now have more confidence in his vision and are giving Fast the big-screen treatment it deserves.
Production Details and Release Date
Fast is being produced by Bosque Ranch Productions (Sheridan’s company) and Heyday Films, led by David Heyman (Harry Potter) and Jeffrey Clifford. Warner Bros. will distribute the movie, marking a full-circle return for Sheridan to theatrical films.
According to Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group heads Michael DeLuca and Pam Abdy, “The breadth of Taylor Sheridan’s body of work is simply astounding… We are thrilled to have such an incredible creative team bringing Fast to the big screen.
”Filming hasn’t started yet, but the release date is officially set for April 23, 2027. That gives the team ample time to build a world-class cast and execute the ambitious story at the scale it deserves.
The budget is expected to be in the $60–70 million range — not surprising, considering how cinematic Sheridan’s TV work already feels. If 1923 episodes cost that much, Fast is bound to be a spectacle.
Final Thoughts: Will Fast Live Up to the Hype?
Taylor Sheridan has never been one to play it safe. Whether he’s exploring the moral cost of power (Yellowstone) or the human toll of covert missions (Lioness), his stories resonate because they blend explosive drama with grounded character work.
With Fast, Sheridan is stepping back into the movie arena with the same trusted collaborators and a script that has been waiting in the wings for over a decade. Brandon Sklenar’s casting, the espionage-heavy plot, and Ben Richardson’s debut all point toward a film that could be both emotionally rich and thrilling to watch.