Taylor Sheridan F.A.S.T. Oscar buzz with Succession star is gaining steam as Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan brings new heat to his upcoming film, F.A.S.T., especially after adding acclaimed Succession actress Juliana Canfield to the cast. With an impressive team behind the scenes and early chatter swirling about major awards potential, the film signals Sheridan’s boldest pursuit of the Oscars yet.
Juliana Canfield Boards F.A.S.T., Raising Hopes for Award Glory
Taylor Sheridan’s high-stakes thriller F.A.S.T. is attracting attention thanks to the addition of Juliana Canfield, known for her memorable role as Jess on Succession and her recent Tony nomination for Stereophonic. Canfield steps into the female lead, opposite 1923 actor Brandon Sklenar, marking a significant casting milestone for the Warner Bros. production. Although specific details about her character remain undisclosed, her involvement hints at a pivotal role designed to command audience interest and award consideration.
The plot is in classic Sheridan territory, centering on a former special forces commando recruited by the DEA to assemble a clandestine strike team. Their mission—to target powerful drug cartels protected by the CIA—guarantees high tension, explosive action, and shadowy political intrigue. This blend of black-ops drama and government conspiracy is already propelling the project into early Oscar buzz territory.
Behind the camera, Ben Richardson, best known for his cinematography on Beasts of the Southern Wild and Mare of Easttown, takes his place as director for the first time. Sheridan penned the screenplay prior to his exclusive agreement with Paramount but received a unique dispensation to deliver F.A.S.T. to Warner Bros. Production is further bolstered by seasoned producers David Heyman, the force behind Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Jeffrey Clifford.
The film targets an April 23, 2027 release in theaters, positioning itself squarely in awards season. For Canfield, this marks yet another significant leap from her rise on Broadway to her growing repertoire in acclaimed television and film, including notable appearances in The Assistant, Y: The Last Man, and The Calling. Her latest creative leap—from the world of Broadway to the intensity of DEA black-ops, as helmed by Sheridan—positions her as a contender to watch during Oscar season.
Sheridan Juggles Yellowstone Universe While Eyeing Oscar Success
With his expanding slate of shows, Taylor Sheridan faces the tough challenge of maintaining consistency within his popular franchises, such as the sprawling Yellowstone universe, while chasing critical recognition with new cinematic endeavors. In the Yellowstone prequel 1923, longtime viewers noticed a curious inconsistency: John Dutton recounts his grandfather Spencer losing a leg, saying,
“The worst pain was in the toes of the leg he didn’t have,”
—John Dutton, Yellowstone
Yet in 1923, Spencer’s war experiences and family life unfold without any such loss or even a hint at that fate. This lapse has fans scrutinizing whether Sheridan’s focus on multiple projects—like Landman, Tulsa King, and Lioness—may result in continuity issues in his signature Western sagas. Nonetheless, his persistent drive for originality and ambition is clear in F.A.S.T., a film touted by many as his most formidable Oscar contender so far.
Sheridan’s balancing act—shepherding his television worlds while attempting to raise the bar cinematically—reflects the high stakes both within his storytelling and in his career trajectory. If he manages to bring the same sharpness and acclaim to F.A.S.T. as he has to his best TV work, Sheridan could soon be exchanging his cowboy boots for formalwear on Hollywood’s most prestigious night.
F.A.S.T. is scheduled for theatrical release on April 23, 2027. The combination of Taylor Sheridan’s signature narrative grit, Juliana Canfield’s versatile talent, and a heavyweight production team has set expectations high. If the Oscar buzz proves true, both Sheridan and Canfield might soon be heading for an Academy Award spotlight that redefines their careers.
