7 Shocking Facts About Wind River (2017) And The Explosive Sequel That Won't Star Jeremy Renner
Released in 2017, Wind River remains one of the most viscerally powerful and critically acclaimed neo-Western thrillers of the modern era, but its true significance lies far beyond its gripping plot. The film, written and directed by Taylor Sheridan, serves as a stark, unflinching look at a devastating reality: the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) on America’s reservations, a topic that continues to gain urgent attention today, in late December 2025.
The movie follows U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner) and inexperienced FBI agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) as they investigate the death of a young Indigenous woman on the remote and snow-covered Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. While the film is a fictional narrative, it is explicitly dedicated to—and inspired by—the countless, uncounted stories of women whose disappearances and murders go unsolved. Its legacy is not just cinematic; it is a vital piece of advocacy that has shaped the careers of its stars and paved the way for a highly anticipated, yet controversial, sequel.
The Cast and Creator: Where Are They Now?
The success of Wind River is inextricably linked to the star power and creative vision of its core team. Here is a look at the key players and their most recent projects, which highlight their massive influence on Hollywood today.
Taylor Sheridan (Writer/Director)
- Role in Wind River: Writer and Director. It was his directorial debut and the final film in his thematic "frontier trilogy" (following the screenplays for Sicario and Hell or High Water).
- Current Status: Taylor Sheridan is arguably the most prolific showrunner in television, dominating the neo-Western genre.
- Recent Projects (2024–2025): He continues his work on the "Sheridan-verse" with the final season of the flagship series Yellowstone (2024), the ongoing crime drama Mayor of Kingstown (Season 4), and the historical Westerns *1923* (ending 2025) and *Lawmen: Bass Reeves*. His new series, *Landman*, is also a major upcoming project.
Jeremy Renner (Cory Lambert)
- Role in Wind River: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Agent Cory Lambert. His performance earned widespread critical praise for its emotional depth and quiet intensity.
- Current Status: Renner has made a remarkable recovery following a near-fatal snowplow accident in January 2023, which he has publicly discussed.
- Recent Projects (2024–2025): He continues to star as Mike McLusky in Taylor Sheridan's *Mayor of Kingstown*. He also released his first album, *Love*, a surprising new creative venture outside of acting.
Elizabeth Olsen (Jane Banner)
- Role in Wind River: FBI Agent Jane Banner. Her character’s journey from unprepared outsider to determined avenger is central to the film’s narrative arc.
- Current Status: Olsen is one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading women, balancing major studio franchises with independent prestige projects.
- Recent Projects (2024–2025): While still known globally as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, her recent non-MCU films include *His Three Daughters* and the newly announced project *Panic Carefully*, where she is set to star alongside Julia Roberts.
The True and Tragic Inspiration Behind the Film
One of the most compelling aspects of Wind River is the title card that opens the movie: "Inspired by actual events." This simple phrase carries the weight of a national tragedy that the film sought to illuminate.
The MMIW Crisis: A Story of Thousands
Taylor Sheridan has confirmed that the plot is not based on one singular event, but rather "thousands of actual stories just like it." The film is a fictionalized composite of the horrifying, real-life experiences of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) across North America.
The story of Natalie, the young woman whose body is found, and the subsequent investigation into her death, reflects the systematic lack of resources and attention given to these cases on tribal lands. The Wind River Reservation itself was the subject of a 2012 *New York Times* expose, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by those living there.
Sheridan has been an advocate for this cause, even submitting written testimony on Savanna's Act, a bill aimed at addressing the MMIW crisis. He noted that Natalie's story in the film was directly inspired by the countless, uncounted victims.
The film’s brutal, yet necessary, depiction of violence and its final title card—which states that statistics for missing Indigenous women are not kept—serves as a powerful, lasting critique of government neglect and societal indifference.
The Controversial Sequel: Wind River: The Next Chapter
In the most recent and significant update to the Wind River universe, a sequel titled Wind River: The Next Chapter (sometimes referred to as *Wind River: Rising*) is officially in production. However, it comes with several major changes that have sparked debate among fans.
A New Director and a New Lead
The sequel will not be directed by Taylor Sheridan, who has focused on his television empire. Instead, the film is helmed by Kari Skogland, known for directing episodes of *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier*.
The most surprising news is the absence of Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen. The new lead is Scott Eastwood, who plays a new U.S. Fish and Wildlife agent.
However, the sequel maintains a crucial link to the original film by featuring the return of Martin Sensmeier, who will reprise his role as Chip Hanson, now a newly minted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent. The cast is further bolstered by additions like Jason Clarke and Chaske Spencer.
A Final Project for a Hollywood Legend
Adding to the sequel's intrigue is the confirmation that the late Hollywood icon Rob Reiner, known for directing films like *The Princess Bride* and *A Few Good Men*, served as a producer on the project. This makes *Wind River: The Next Chapter* one of his final works in Hollywood, bringing an unexpected layer of legacy to the production.
The plot of the sequel focuses on a series of ritualistic murders on the reservation that are linked to a new case, forcing Chip Hanson to partner with the new agent to solve the crime. The sequel aims to continue the original film's mission of shedding light on the MMIP (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons) crisis.
The Lasting Legacy of Taylor Sheridan's Trilogy Closer
While Jeremy Renner's Cory Lambert provided the emotional anchor, the true power of Wind River lies in its ability to force a difficult conversation. It is an exploration of grief, the failure of justice, and the resilience of a community.
As the final piece of Taylor Sheridan's thematic trilogy—a series of films that explore the modern American frontier, moral ambiguity, and the consequences of violence—Wind River stands out as the most personal and pointedly political. It is a "flawed masterpiece" that uses the framework of a crime thriller to deliver a gut-punching social commentary.
The film’s lasting impact is the window it provides into the systemic violence against Indigenous women, ensuring that the tragedy on the Wind River Reservation—and the thousands of similar tragedies it represents—is not forgotten. The upcoming sequel, regardless of its cast changes, is poised to continue this vital conversation, proving that the film's message is as urgent today as it was in 2017.
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