Move over James Bond, we have another spy on the horizon. The Russo Brothers are developing an espionage thriller with Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans. The Gray Man is based on Mark Greaney’s best-selling novel. The brothers have high ambitions to turn it into a saga.

The story will introduce us to a CIA Agent, Court Gentry (Gosling). He is on the run after unearthing dark CIA secrets. The CIA has commissioned a global manhunt. And this is where Evans comes in as the main antagonist of the movie. He plays the unhinged Llyod Hansen who will go to extreme lengths to kill Court. 

Gosling will reprise his role in The Gray Man if it becomes a franchise

The Russo brothers have put a lot of effort and money (more than $200) into the project. In its nascent stages, the film was being developed at New Regency keeping in mind Brad Pitt and director James Gray. Since it never materialized, the brothers took over the project. Joe Russo has written the script and now they plan to create a new iconic spy within The Gray Man universe.

“The intention is for it to be competitive with any theatrical, and the ability to do it with Gosling and Evans is a dream for us. The idea is to create a franchise and build out a whole universe, with Ryan at the center of it. We have all committed to the first movie. And that’s got to be great to get us to the second movie,” Joe said

Why did the Russo brothers choose Netflix?

The Russo brothers have worked with Netflix before. They are producing the film through their AGBO production company. Moreover, they have had a wonderful working relationship for almost 20 years with Stuber. So really both of them are choosing to trust each other.

This can turn the tables for Netflix and it can earn back its crown. The Russo brothers had also produced Chris Hemsworth’s Extraction for Netflix. The movie drops on Netflix on July 22.