Netflix’s The Gray Man made quite the splash when it debuted, combining high-octane action with a star-studded cast. Now, the streaming giant is gearing up for a sequel, but with a twist: it’s going to be more about the characters than the explosions (which must mean Michael Bay won’t be directing it).
Scott Stuber, Head of Netflix Film, recently shared some insights about the sequel with Collider, asserting that the focus is shifting from the non-stop action that defined the first film to a deeper exploration of its characters, particularly Ryan Gosling’s Courtland Gentry. Stuber expressed admiration for Gosling’s range and hinted at a more nuanced portrayal in the upcoming sequel.
The first The Gray Man film, based on Mark Greaney’s novel, introduced us to the CIA’s most skilled mercenary, whose life turns upside down when he uncovers dark agency secrets (where have we heard this before?). The film wasn’t carried by a novel plot, but made up for it where it counts.
Despite mixed reviews from critics, the film landed well with audiences, racking up over 253 million hours viewed on Netflix. This success has not only paved the way for a sequel but also sparked talks of potential prequels and spinoffs, expanding The Gray Man universe. Sigh.
One such spinoff might revolve around Chris Evans’ character, Lloyd Hansen, the sociopathic ex-CIA agent. Another could focus on Avik San, aka The Lone Wolf, portrayed by the prolific Indian actor Dhanush. These projects, still in early development, promise to give these characters more depth, which can’t possibly be a bad thing, right?
While details of The Gray Man 2 are still under wraps, the shift towards character-driven storytelling is a welcome change. It’s a move that could give the sequel a fresh feel, differentiating it from the first film’s relentless action sequences.
This approach might just be what the franchise needs to keep the audience hooked and craving more, especially now that Netflix wants to make a universe out of the film. There are plenty of fairly generic spy thrillers vying for attention, so we’re eager to see how this tactic shakes out.
Netflix clearly thinks it’s sitting on a potential goldmine with The Gray Man. The challenge now is to strike the right balance between compelling action sequences and a well-written script that doesn’t lean too much on nostalgia and the allure of big-name actors.
As of writing, there hasn’t been any official release date revealed for the sequel. However, it’s widely anticipated that The Russo Brothers will make their return, and the screenplay will once again be penned by Stephen McFeely.
