Despite big plans for the action universe being teased ahead of the first movie’s release,Ryan Gosling’s Netflix action franchise is still only slowly trucking along. While he remains one of the most prestige A-list actors currently working, Gosling has also tried his hand at a variety of projects with potential franchise expansions, includingShane Black’sThe Nice Guys, Greta Gerwig’sBarbieand David Leitch’s acclaimedFall Guyreboot.
Netflix has similarly been looking to find franchises for itself in the action sphere as they’ve increased their output involving high-profile talent like Gosling. Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot’sRed Noticeis intended to be comprised of a full trilogy of films, whilethe Russo brothers also havethe Chris Hemsworth-ledExtractionfranchise, which recently announced a TV spinoff is in the works led by Omar Sy, all while a third movie featuring Hemsworth’s return is still in development. There have been a few, however, whose franchise intentions have either stalled or been shelved entirely since their debuts.
The Gray Man 2 Has A Few Hurdles To Overcome
Anthony Russo Assures There’s “Still Interest” In The Sequel
One such blockbuster venture that paired Gosling and Netflix was that of 2022’sThe Gray Man, helmed by the Russos and based on Mark Greaney’s book of the same name about a CIA assassin who goes on the run as he’s hunted down by a ruthless ex-CIA agent. With a $200 million production budget, the movie ended up being a big gamble for the streamer, sitting as one of their most expensive productions to date, though thanks to its massive viewership,both a spinoff andThe Gray Man 2were announcedright after its release.
Now, during a recent interview withThe Playlistto discuss the upcoming release ofThe Electric State, Joe and Anthony Russo were asked for an update onThe Gray Man 2and the franchise’s future outside of the sequel. Though very brief, the latter didconfirm there is “still interest” in producing more in the action universe at Netflix, though indicated the biggest hurdle they’re currently facing is getting everyone’s schedules aligned. Check out what Anthony Russo said below:
There’s still interest, yeah. There’s interest, [it’s] just the availability issues between Joe and I and Mr. Gosling and et cetera.
Our Take On Russo’s Gray Man Franchise Update
The Brothers May Need To Pass The Reins Off To Someone Else
Given how successful the first movie was in its viewership, in spite of its mixed critical reception, it certainly doesn’t seem like Netflix would want to give up on the futureGray Manplans. This is all the more likely afterthe streamer reportedly cancelled the plans forZack Snyder’sArmy of the Deadfranchiseto continue, thus saving them roughly another $100 million to produce it, whileRebel Moon’s unclear future also saves them upwards of $150 million after the first two cost a combined $166 million to produce.
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That being said, even if Netflix has continued interest in it, it seems like Gosling and the Russos' busy schedule will continue to be the biggest hurdle forThe Gray Man 2and beyond. The former has a number of projects he’s attached to star in, includingShawn Levy’s standaloneStar Warsmovie, while the Russos are currently working on their latest Marvel Cinematic Universe ventures inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars, which are expected to film sometime this year. If Netflix wants to get the sequel and spinoff off the ground sooner, they may need to have someone else take up the reins.
The Gray Man 2
Cast
Announced in 2024, The Gray Man 2 is the sequel to the Netflix action-adventure film directed by the Russo brothers. The film will see Ryan Gosling return in the lead role with the Gray Man being set loose in an all-new location and adventure.
