The Gray Man starring Ryan Gosling is now available on Netflix. But actually another superstar should embody the leading role…
Netflix paid more than an estimated 200 million for “The Gray Man”. This makes the action thriller with Ryan Gosling (41) the streaming service’s most expensive film to date. The film by the “Avengers” directors Anthony (52) and Joe (51) Russo started in selected cinemas on July 14. On July 22nd it will also be time for Netflix.
Ryan Gosling plays Court Gentry, the CIA’s best man. But when he receives incriminating material about his employer, he ends up on the hit list himself. Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans, 41), psychopathic ex-employee of the CIA and now working as a freelancer for the secret service, sends agents worldwide to Gentry. The hunted gets support from Dani Miranda (Ana de Armas, 34)
In addition to the story, actors and costs, there are other interesting facts to report about “The Gray Man”.
This was the most expensive Netflix film to date
As far as official numbers go, Netflix is notoriously secretive. Unless there are retrieval records to report. “The Gray Man” is said to have paid more than $200 million. The previous record is said to have been held by “Red Notice” from 2021. The action comedy with Dwayne Johnson (50), Ryan Reynolds (45) and Gal Gadot (37) is also said to have cost around 200 million. According to “Deadline”, “The Gray Man” is said to have been more expensive. Relegated to third place: Martin Scorsese (79) “The Irishman” with about 160 million.
Brad Pitt and Charlize Theron were in conversation
The gray man has come a long way. The novel by Mark Greaney was published in 2009. Already in 2011 there were first plans for a film with – appropriately – James Gray (“Ad Astra”, 53) as director. Brad Pitt (58) should take over the lead role. But nothing came of it, just as little as a film adaptation with reversed gender roles. Charlize Theron (46) was intended here as a gray woman.
Stars from all over the world: You have to pay attention to these supporting actors
To ensure that more people from all countries press the play button, Netflix has made sure that the cast is extremely diverse. Wagner Moura (46) plays the passport forger Lazlo Sosa, who supports Court Gentry. Wagner Moura is a superstar in his native Brazil, but thanks to his leading role in the Netflix series “Narcos” he is also a well-known face worldwide. The actor and singer Dhanush (38) is a megastar in India. In “The Gray Man” he plays one of the hitmen chasing Ryan Gosling. Fans of the in-house series “Bridgerton” brings Netflix with heartthrob Regé-Jean Page (34).
Julia Butters: That’s how you know the little girl
Some viewers may also be familiar with the actress who plays little Claire, who is kidnapped by Fiesling Hansen. She is played by 13-year-old Julia Butters. In “Once Upon A Time…in Hollywood” she played the precocious child actress who made Leonardo DiCaprio’s (47) worn-out Rick Dalton cry with her performance.
“The Gray Man” is supposed to be an entire universe
One film shouldn’t be enough. Joe Russo dreams of more. “The idea is to create a franchise and build a whole universe with Ryan at the center,” the director once said. There is already enough material. Mark Greaney’s “Gray Man” book series now comprises eleven volumes, with the next edition coming out next year.
