Taylor Sheridan's Spiritual Yellowstone Prequel Badly Needs A Sequel

Taylor Sheridan is best known for his TV show Yellowstone, but he has also written several film scripts, and one of his movies deserves a sequel. Sheridan created an entire world around his Yellowstone television series, while also creating new worlds with Tulsa King, Landman, and more. However, he has also worked in movies.

Taylor Sheridan has directed three movies and written the scripts for several others, most notably the two Sicario films. However, one of the movies he directed is almost a spiritual prequel to Yellowstone, which was released the year before he began his television journey. This movie is Wind River, and it very much deserves a follow-up.

Wind River follows a veteran wildlife officer (Jeremy Renner) and a rookie FBI agent (Elizabeth Olsen) as they investigate the case of a young Native American woman found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, frozen to death with signs of Sєxual ᴀssault. This leads them on a terrifying hunt for the people responsible for this tragedy.

Taylor Sheridan’s Wind River Is Deserving Of A Sequel

Gil Birmingham's Martin in face paint looking at Jeremy Renner's Cory while sitting on the ground in Wind River — Gil Birmingham’s Martin in face paint looking at Jeremy Renner’s Cory while sitting on the ground in Wind River

While Wind River is a tense neo-Western crime thriller, it is also much more important than that. This was not a movie that was sH๏τ just to thrill audiences. Taylor Sheridan told the Washington Post that he learned about thousands of Indigenous women who are victims of Sєxual ᴀssault and murder. Many of these crimes remain unsolved.

Sheridan’s movie solved the crime, and Renner’s Agent Lambert delivered the harsh punishment to the men who caused this young woman’s death. However, the fact that this is such a widespread problem in the United States and Canada proves there are more stories to tell to open people’s eyes concerning these issues.

There are several grᴀssroots movements aimed at raising awareness of this situation, but there are also bigger ways to educate the public, such as through movies or television shows. Wind River is one of the biggest examples, thanks to Taylor Sheridan’s involvement, but there was also an Australian film called Limbo.

The fact that Taylor Sheridan is better known now than he was when he released Wind River is the exact reason the movie should get a sequel. Fans love his TV shows, with Yellowstone a cultural touchstone. Making a sequel to Wind River could also bring new eyes to the original film, which is a fantastic neo-Western.

What We Know About Wind River 2

Jeremy Renner wearing a cowboy hat in Wind River

Wind River is getting a second life right now, thanks to Netflix, where it has surged up the charts since its release. It might be a mixture of Taylor Sheridan writing and directing the film, and the fact that it stars two popular Marvel Cinematic Universe actors in Renner (Hawkeye) and Olsen (Scarlet Witch).

Shockingly, there was a sequel in the works without Taylor Sheridan’s involvement, which seems strange. He isn’t on board as a producer, and the two main stars, Renner and Olsen, won’t return. The only big-name star returning is Gil Birmingham as Martin Hanson, the father of the murdered woman from the first movie.

Kari Skogland signed on to direct the film, although the last movie she directed was in 2008 with Fifty ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Men Walking. Jason Clarke, Scott Eastwood, and Alan Ruck are part of the cast. With that said, filming took place in 2023, but as of 2025, actor Kali Reis said there was no update about its release.

It seems that Wind River 2 might be different from the original, according to one actor who stars in both, which is slightly disappointing. Gil Birmingham said that it’s more of a thriller, and he is sure that might be what is holding up its release because it’s hard to categorize.

Wind River Has A Lot In Common With Yellowstone

Gil Birmingham glancing at Luke Grimes in Yellowstone season 4

The original Wind River has a lot in common with Yellowstone. There is a lot of inner politics going on in both the movie and the TV show. They also highlight the difficulties ᴀssociated with reservations and the land ownership of Native American tribes. While Wind River has a more personal mystery, both are neo-Westerns.

Wind River and Yellowstone also share several actors. The biggest of these is Gil Birmingham, who starred as Martin Hanson, the father of the murdered young woman in Wind River. He had a lead role in Yellowstone as Thomas Rainwater.

The late Graham Greene played Officer Ben Shoyo in Wind River, and he appeared in the Yellowstone prequel 1883 as Spotted Eagle. Tokala Black Elk stars in Yellowstone as Sam Stands Alone, and he appeared in Wind River as Sam Littlefeather.

Hugh Dillon, who played Curtis in Wind River, starred as Sheriff Donnie Haskell in Yellowstone for four seasons. James Jordan played the villain Pete in Wind River and the character Steve Hendon in Yellowstone. Taylor Sheridan enjoys reusing actors, which helps tie his movies and TV shows together.

Sources: Washington Post