The directing team of brothers Anthony and Joe Russo have set their next project. The Gray Man, an adaptation of a 2009 novel by Mark Greaney, is set to release this summer on Netflix.
Netflix is clearly committing itself to the project, with a reported budget of $200 million, the most expensive original film ever produced by the streamer. The original book by Mark Greaney is the first of eleven in The Gray Man series, so the Netflix project definitely has franchise potential. Greaney is also well known for being a longtime collaborator of Jack Ryan author Tom Clancy, with Greaney even continuing the Jack Ryan novel series after Clancy’s 2013 death. The Gray Man’s lead, Court Gentry, is a former CIA operative embarking on a mission across Europe, likely appealing to existing fans of the Jack Ryan series.
With just a few months until the film’s release, let’s look at everything we know about Netflix’s The Gray Man. How closely will the film's plot adhere to the novels? Who has been lined up in the lead role of Court Gentry, and who else will be appearing in the cast? When and where can audiences expect to see the film upon release?
The Gray Man Plot
The novel series revolves around the titular “Gray Man,” former CIA operative Court Gentry. In the first novel, Gentry embarks on a mission across Europe to rescue his handler Donald Fitzroy and his family. They are being held captive by high-ranking people that want Gentry eliminated. This is only the plot of the first novel; Gentry would go on to star in an additional ten stories as of 2022.
The film is primarily an adaptation of the first novel. Per an official synopsis from Netflix:
“Based on the Gray Man book series by Mark Greaney, the plot of the film unfolds as the CIA’s most skilled mercenary (Ryan Gosling) — whose true identity is known to none — accidentally uncovers dark agency secrets and a psychopathic former colleague puts a bounty on his head, setting off a global manhunt by international assassins.”
It looks as though the Russo brothers may be taking the MCU route with this film, already plotting out a shared universe of spy films for Netflix. The first film will reportedly be the foundation, setting up the primary characters and worlds. From there, additional sequels and spin-offs will build on the world and add multiple layers to the story. The Russos do not plan to answer every question in the first movie and will leave multiple unresolved threads to be addressed in future films.
Star Ryan Gosling also reportedly enjoyed making the film so much that he would like to see it become a franchise. With multiple additional novels in The Gray Man series to draw from, the Russos do not have any shortage of source material. While details about this first film are sparse, audiences can likely expect more information to drop as we approach closer to the release date. However, any clues about the potential franchise as a whole will likely only be answered when the film is released.
The Gray Man Cast
As mentioned above, Ryan Gosling is lined up in the lead role of Court Gentry, the titular “Gray Man,” also known by his code name of Sierra Six. Alongside Gosling, Chris Evans is set to star as Lloyd Hansen, the “psychopathic former colleague” mentioned in the plot description. Billy Bob Thornton is playing Donald Fitzroy, the former handler of Gentry who recruits him for his newest mission. On his mission, Gentry is allied with Agent Dani Miranda, played by Ana de Armas. Also, the Duke of Hastings himself, Rege-Jean Page, is rumored to be playing the character Carmichael.
While these actors have confirmed or speculated roles, they are joined by several additional players with unknown roles. They include Jessica Henwick, Wagner Moura, Dhanush, Alfre Woodard, Julia Butters, Eme Ikwuakor, DeObia Oparei, Scott Haze, and Michael Gandolfini. We can likely expect more information about their roles and how they will relate to the story as we approach closer to the release date.
Additional names and roles will also likely be unveiled in the weeks ahead, and all that viewers can do at this point is wait.
The Gray Man Release Date
Interestingly, though the film is a Netflix original, you may be able to see it in theaters before it arrives on the streamer. The Gray Man will receive a limited release in select theaters on July 15, 2022. After that, it will hit Netflix one week later, on July 22, 2022.
Anticipation is high for this film as the potential start of a new spy thriller shared universe from the minds behind Avengers: Endgame. All we can do now is wait until it is out to see if it lives up to the hype.