The Gray Man (2022 film)

The Gray Man
Two men standing back to back are lit in red-orange lighting in contrast to the navy blue sky city background.
Release poster
Directed byAnthony Russo
Joe Russo
Screenplay by
Based onThe Gray Man
by Mark Greaney
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyStephen F. Windon
Edited by
Music byHenry Jackman
Production
companies
Distributed byNetflix
Release date
  • July 15, 2022 (2022-07-15)
Running time
129 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$200 million[1]
Box office$454,043[2]

The Gray Man is a 2022 American action thriller film directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, from a screenplay the latter co-wrote with Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, based on the 2009 novel of the same name by Mark Greaney. The film stars Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jessica Henwick, Regé-Jean Page, Wagner Moura, Julia Butters, Dhanush (in his Hollywood debut), Alfre Woodard, and Billy Bob Thornton. Produced by the Russo brothers' company AGBO, it is the first film in a franchise based upon Greaney's Gray Man novels. The plot centers on CIA agent "Sierra Six" (portrayed by Gosling), who is on the run from sociopathic ex-CIA agent and mercenary Lloyd Hansen (Evans) upon discovering corrupt secrets about his superior.

An adaptation of Greaney's novel was originally announced in 2011, with James Gray set to direct Brad Pitt, and later Charlize Theron in a gender-swapped role, though neither version ever came to fruition. The property lingered in development hell until July 2020, when it was announced the Russo brothers would direct, with both Gosling and Evans attached to star. Filming took place in Los Angeles, Paris and Prague between March and July 2021. With a production budget of $200 million, it is among the most expensive films made by Netflix.

The Gray Man began a limited theatrical release on July 15, 2022, followed by its digital release on Netflix on July 22, 2022. It received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for the ensemble cast and action sequences, but criticism toward the "clichéd script and breakneck pacing."[3] The film is being followed by a sequel, with Gosling and Dhanush reprising their roles, as well as a spin-off.[4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference CrewBudget was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "The Gray Man (2022)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  3. ^ "'The Gray Man' Review Roundup: A 'Throwback' Action Movie That's 'Listless' and Full of 'Tropes and Cliches'". Variety. July 14, 2022. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  4. ^ "The Gray Man sequel and spinoff are in development at Netflix". JoBlo.com. July 26, 2022. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.