Netflix has announced that the streaming service is developing a The Gray Man sequel following the success of the first film’s release this weekend. The movie debuted as the No. 1 movie in 92 countries, sparking Netflix to cement plans for the IP to become a major spy franchise.
The Gray Man sequel, which has a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, is in development with star Ryan Gosling and directors Joe and Anthony Russo set to return. The Russos and AGBO’s Mike Larocca will 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.
A spin-off film written by acclaimed screenwriters Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese (Deadpool, Zombieland) is set to explore a different element of The Gray Man universe. The logline to that film is being kept under wraps.
The Gray Man is based on the best-selling book series (See on Amazon) by Mark Greaney. The film is the third from AGBO to premiere on Netflix and the company’s second consecutive debut at #1 worldwide.
AGBO’s Extraction, starring Chris Hemsworth and the fifth most popular film on Netflix, has a sequel to be released on the streaming service in 2023.
“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,” said Joe and Anthony Russo.
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.”
“With The Gray Man, the Russos delivered an edge-of-your-seat spectacle that audiences around the world are loving,” added Scott Stuber, Head of Global Film at Netflix.
“We’re excited to continue to partner with them and the team at AGBO as they build out The Gray Man universe.”
In addition to Gosling, The Gray Man stars Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jessica Henwick, Wagner Moura, Dhanush, Billy Bob Thornton, Alfre Woodard, Regé-Jean Page, Julia Butters, Eme Ikwuakor, and Scott Haze.
The film, which was released on Netflix on July 22, is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of strong violence and strong language.
In the film, The Gray Man is CIA operative Court Gentry (Gosling), aka Sierra Six. Plucked from a federal penitentiary and recruited by his handler, Donald Fitzroy (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 (Evans), a former cohort at the CIA, who will stop at nothing to take him out. Agent Dani Miranda (De Armas) has his back. He’ll need it.
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills to cover the latest streaming, movie, TV, and game news.