Taylor Sheridan’s new thriller F.A.S.T. reunites him with 1923 star Brandon Sklenar.
📰 1000-Word Article
Everything We Know So Far About Taylor Sheridan’s New Action Thriller F.A.S.T. Starring Brandon Sklenar
Taylor Sheridan, the creative mastermind behind Yellowstone, Sicario, and Wind River, is officially making his return to the big screen with an adrenaline-fueled action thriller titled F.A.S.T. This upcoming project reunites Sheridan with 1923 actor Brandon Sklenar in a film that promises high-octane intensity, covert missions, and complex characters operating in the shadowy world of government agencies and cartel wars. Though details remain closely guarded, a growing amount of information has already painted a compelling picture of what fans can expect.
What is F.A.S.T. about?
F.A.S.T. centers on a former elite special forces operative who is recruited by the DEA to form a black-ops strike team. This unit is tasked with dismantling powerful drug cartels operating under the protection of the CIA. The acronym “F.A.S.T.” has yet to be officially defined by the filmmakers, which has only added to the intrigue surrounding the story. However, knowing Sheridan’s affinity for moral ambiguity and gritty realism, it’s safe to say the film will explore themes of corruption, loyalty, sacrifice, and justice in a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred.
The story’s premise draws immediate comparisons to Sheridan’s earlier work—particularly Sicario, which was praised for its tense portrayal of the drug war and deep governmental complicity. However, unlike Sicario, which followed a more procedural format, F.A.S.T. is expected to focus more on a single central character and the team he assembles. There’s an emotional core at the center of this story, wrapped inside a dynamic, action-driven narrative that explores personal responsibility amid political corruption.
The Lead: Brandon Sklenar
Brandon Sklenar, best known for his role as Spencer Dutton in 1923, will lead the cast as the ex-special forces soldier at the heart of F.A.S.T. Sklenar’s casting feels like a natural progression after his breakout performance in Sheridan’s Western prequel series. In 1923, Sklenar brought grit, heart, and complexity to a soldier’s journey through war-torn regions and emotional trauma. Now, he’ll be able to bring those same layers to a modern-day operative thrown back into conflict under the guise of patriotism.
While this is Sklenar’s first big-budget action lead role, Sheridan’s trust in the actor speaks volumes about his potential. In interviews, both Sheridan and Sklenar have hinted at a character-driven approach to the action—a hallmark of Sheridan’s storytelling.
Juliana Canfield Joins the Cast
Joining Sklenar is Juliana Canfield, best known for her role as Jess Jordan in Succession. A rising star in both TV and theater, Canfield will reportedly play a critical role in the narrative—possibly as a fellow operative, intelligence officer, or someone tied to the protagonist’s personal past. Her inclusion adds a level of prestige and emotional depth to the film’s ensemble.
Canfield’s theater background and recent acclaim for her Tony-nominated performance in Stereophonic make her a compelling addition to the cast. She has a knack for emotionally rich characters and will likely complement Sklenar’s intensity with grounded vulnerability or sharp intellect.
Behind the Camera: Sheridan & Richardson
While Taylor Sheridan serves as the writer and producer, F.A.S.T. will be directed by Ben Richardson. This marks Richardson’s feature directorial debut, although he’s no stranger to the Sheridan universe. Richardson has worked extensively as a cinematographer on Yellowstone and 1923, contributing heavily to the visual style that fans associate with Sheridan’s world—moody, wide-open shots filled with tension and isolation.
Given their previous collaboration, Richardson’s transition from cinematographer to director under Sheridan’s wing suggests a strong creative alignment. Sheridan is known for championing talent from within his circle, and Richardson’s eye for visual storytelling ensures F.A.S.T. will deliver on both cinematic scope and emotional intimacy.
Long Road to the Screen
F.A.S.T. has an interesting development history. Sheridan originally wrote the screenplay nearly a decade ago, long before his breakout success with Yellowstone. The project passed through various hands, at one point drawing interest from Chris Pratt as a potential lead. It was temporarily shelved during Sheridan’s rapid rise in television but recently re-emerged as a high-priority project.