‘It was always intended to be an expanded universe’: The Gray Man Officially Gets Sequel at Netflix, Spin-Off in the Works With Deadpool Writers Attached

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Netflix’s released The Gray Man on the streaming website on 22nd July 2022. And days after, there are already talks of a sequel. The story follows a top CIA agent on the run from a psychopathic mercenary, after discovering corrupt secrets about his agency and superiors.

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Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling in The Gray Man

The Joe and Anthony Russo-directed spy action thriller movie is well on its path to having a well-organized expanded universe in the making. The movie will have a sequel, as well as a spin-off story, both of which are in development under the streaming giants currently.

You May Also Like: “I Was Holding a Gun”- Ryan Gosling Wasn’t Too Happy After Chris Evans Seriously Hurt Him During The Gray Man Shoot

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The Gray Man Sequel; Who’s Coming Back?

The first installment of the now-seemingly expanded verse of The Gray Man was based on Mark Greany’s best-selling novel series of the same name. There are a total of 12 books in the series, so it is no coincidence that the management already has plans for a sequel and a spin-off at the ready.

Joe and Anthony Russo
The directorial duo – Anthony and Joe Russo

The directorial duo of the Russo Brothers is set to return, with their main lead Ryan Gosling for the sequel. Stephen McFeely will be doing the screenplay for the sequel, as he did with the first installment of The Gray Man. And the Russos along with AGBO’s Mike Larocca will produce the movie, along with Joe Roth and Jeffrey Kirschenbaum of Roth Kirschenbaum Films.

For the spin-off, although not much has been shared on it yet, what we do know is that Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, who wrote the screenplay for Deadpool, would be working on it. And the story will explore different elements of this movie-verse.

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Also Read: The Gray Man Press Conference: Cast & Directors Talk The Making of Netflix’s Blockbuster

Joe and Anthony Russo in a statement said they are thrilled with the audience’s reaction to the film.

“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.”

Chris Evans
Chris Evans in The Gray Man

Reviews: A Mixed Bag of Beans

The star-studded cast of the movie, which includes Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jessica Henwick, and Regé-Jean Page, along with Ryan Gosling, received a lot of accolades for their brilliant performances. But the movie as a whole received quite mixed reviews in comparison.

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“‘The Gray Man’ exciting — and let’s not beat around the bush, this is the most exciting original action property Netflix has delivered since ‘Bright.’” Said Variety’s Peter Debruge.

Related Article: The Gray Man Reviews Leave the Internet Divided as Critics Call it ‘Blandest Movie of the Summer’

A review from Rotten Tomatoes, read; “The Gray Man has the star-studded outline of an entertaining action thriller, but it’s filled in with lukewarm leftovers from far better films.” The film got a meager 48% on the Tomatometer.

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The Gray Man cast
The cast of The Gray Man for its premiere

Jocelyn Noveck of the Associated Press wrote; “it’s hard not to think of the title when contemplating the overall effect of a film that spares no expense to entertain, yet ends up feeling a little aimless, perplexingly bland, and — what’s the word we’re looking for? Oh yes. Gray.”

Currently, Joe and Anthony Russo are just about ready to release another sequel movie to their record-breaking Netflix movie Extraction, starring Chris Hemsworth. The sequel is set to release sometime in 2023 on Netflix.

Also Read: Extraction 2 Gets Official Release Date as Chris Hemsworth All Set to Break Records Once Again

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Talking about the CIA thriller, Netflix’s head of global film Scott Stuber said they are excited to continue to partner with the Russos and AGBO in building The Gray Man universe.

“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.”

The Gray Man is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

 

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Source: Variety

Swagata Das

Written by Swagata Das

Articles Published: 191

Swagata works as a Senior Features Editor at FandomWire. Having previously worked as a Content Writer, her passion for everything pop culture became her true calling as she now works with a global team of writers to brainstorm unique, groundbreaking ideas. Having done her Masters in English Literature, Swagata is a self-professed K-Pop addict with an affinity to work her charms on unsuspecting friends to induct them into the fandom cult.