Based on the 2009 novel of the same name by Mark Greaney, The Gray Man follows a skilled CIA black ops mercenary named Court Gentry/Sierra Six (Gosling) as he goes on the run from his unhinged former colleague Lloyd Hansen (Evans) and other assassins after he accidentally uncovers dark agency secrets. Out of all the exciting films slated to release on Netflix this year, The Gray Man may be one of the biggest (literally). With a budget of $200 million, The Gray Man will be the streaming platform’s most expensive project to date, as the film hopes to kick off a franchise based on Greaney’s books.

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While Shane Black’s The Nice Guys, Drive, Only God Forgives, and The Place Beyond the Pines certainly placed Gosling in riveting action sequences, nothing compares to what he had to endure while working on The Gray Man. “It took a lot. It took a lot of effort. Everything in this movie was just so extreme,” Gosling shared with Access when asked about how much effort the fight sequences took to execute. “This is like twice as many action set pieces as most of them (action movies). It was very physically challenging and overwhelming, but that’s what made it insane and fun.” It looks like that rigorous training for the role paid off, as first reviews are praising Gosling as the titular character, especially since this is his first action hero-type role.

The actor also spoke with MovieWeb about a potential sequel, saying that he is all on board if plans follow through. “I loved making this film. I’d love to do it again. I’m hoping we can bump Six up to a name status at some point, just for his own sanity,” the actor added. With the Russo Brothers hoping to kickstart a franchise with The Gray Man in the vein of other globe-trotting action franchises like the James Bond or Jack Ryan movies, it appears fans will very likely see more of Gosling in action.

The film’s impressive ensemble also includes Ana de Armas as Dani Miranda, Billy Bob Thornton as Donald Fitzroy, Dhanush as Avik San, Alfre Woodard as Maurice Cahill, Regé-Jean Page as Denny Carmichael, and Julia Butters as Claire Fitzroy. Other cast members include Jessica Henwick, Michael Gandolfini, Wagner Moura, Callan Mulvey, and Sam Lerner. Joe Russo has co-written the film with writing duo Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, the pair who worked with the Russo Brothers on their Marvel Studioscfilms.

The Gray Man will have a limited theatrical release beginning July 15, 2022, followed by its July 22 premiere on Netflix.

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Source: MovieWeb, Access/YouTube