David Farnor | On 26, Jul 2022

Netflix has another franchise in its sights with a sequel and a spin-off now in the works at the streamer.

With competition growing from rival streaming services and media companies, Netflix has been working hard to develop its own intellectual property that it can build and grow, doubling down on successes such as Bridgerton, Stranger Things and The Old Guard. Now, it’s adding The Gray Man to the pack.

The film’s title refers to CIA operative Court Gentry (Ryan Gosling), aka Sierra Six. Plucked from a federal penitentiary and recruited by his handler, Donald Fitzroy (Billy Bob Thornton), Gentry was once a highly-skilled, Agency-sanctioned merchant of death. But now the tables have turned and Six is the target, hunted across the globe by Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans), a former cohort at the CIA, who will stop at nothing to take him out. With a star cast including Ana de Armas, Regé-Jean Page, Jessica Henwick, Wagner Moura and Alfre Woodard, a sequel comes as no surprise, especially given the film is based on a series of spy novels by Mark Greaney.

“The film has obvious franchise potential and, on the strength of The Gray Man, the further adventures of Sierra Six would be very welcome indeed,” we wrote in our review.

Sure enough, within days of the movie’s debut, Netflix is cementing its plans to own a major espionage franchise.

The sequel has star Ryan Gosling and directors Joe and Anthony Russo set to return, with the Russos and AGBO’s Mike Larocca on board to produce along with Joe Roth and Jeffrey Kirschenbaum for Roth Kirschenbaum Films. The Gray Man co-writer Stephen McFeely (The Electric State, Avengers: Endgame, Captain America: Civil War) is writing the script.

The spin-off film, meanwhile, will be written by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese (Deadpool, Zombieland) and will explore a different element of The Gray Man universe. The logline for that is being kept under wraps.

Joe and Anthony Russo say: “The audience reaction to The Gray Man has been nothing short of phenomenal. We are so appreciative of the enthusiasm that fans across the world have had for this film. With so many amazing characters in the movie, we had always intended for the Gray Man to be part of an expanded universe, and we are thrilled that Netflix is announcing a sequel with Ryan, as well as a second script that we’re excited to talk about soon.”

Scott Stuber, Head of Global Film for Netflix, adds: “With The Gray Man, the Russos delivered an edge-of-your-seat spectacle that audiences around the world are loving. We’re excited to continue to partner with them and the team at AGBO as they build out The Gray Man universe.”

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