Netflix will give its spy movie “The Gray Man” its own universe. The film was just released on the platform last week and is already a global success, garnering broadly positive reviews. Apparently inspired by “John Wick,” the action film starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans will get its own sequel and spinoff under the Netflix umbrella, the latter written by the team behind “Deadpool.”
The sequel is currently in development, and Gosling and directors Joe and Anthony Russo (“Avengers: Endgame”) will return. The Russo brothers, AGBO’s Mike Larocca, and Joe Roth and Jeffrey Kirschenbaum are producing. Stephen McFeely, the co-writer of “The Gray Man”, is writing the sequel.
“We are so grateful for the enthusiasm that fans around the world have had for this film,” said Joe and Anthony Russo of the film’s warm reception. “With so many amazing characters in the film, we’ve always intended for ‘The Gray Man’ to be part of an expanded universe, and we’re thrilled that Netflix is announcing a sequel with Ryan, as well as a second script that we’re excited to talk about soon. “
The streaming service has been on shaky ground lately and hopes the new IP will become a major spy franchise that new and returning subscribers will want to see. Viewers are drawn to franchises, with Paramount’s Sheridan universe (“Yellowstone”) getting spinoff after spinoff and rival Disney+ churning out hits like “The Mandalorian,” “The Book of Boba Fett” and “Loki.” Disney had the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the spotlight at Comic-Con over the weekend, announcing multiple projects that fans are eager to watch, including a revival of “Daredevil,” which Netflix canceled back in 2018.
Keen to rack up more hits to keep up with rivals, Netflix spent $200 million on “The Gray Man” — the most expensive movie the company has ever made. The streaming giant is probably banking on the film’s success to pick itself up after its not-so-promising second quarter. The question remains whether Netflix can pull it off, but this isn’t the streamer’s first attempt at a big-budget movie franchise either. Netflix dropped $450 million for the rights to “Knives Out 2” and “Knives Out 3.” The company also commissioned sequels and spin-offs for Zack Synder’s “Army of the Dead.”
Last year, the company acquired the Roald Dahl Story Company in hopes of creating a unique universe but has since canceled projects including the animated series “The Twits” after members of its animation department left in May.
On the original series side of things, Netflix has had success with its mega hits “Stranger Things” and “Squid Game.” “Stranger Things” will get a fifth season and a spin-off, the Duffer Brothers, confirmed last month. Netflix also announced a second season of “Squid Game,” plus a game show that aims to break reality TV records.
However, with a loss of 970,000 subscribers, Netflix is feeling the pressure to perform. Perhaps the company is hoping that bringing Ryan Gosling and his Ken doll-like hair on board could be the solution to its problems.
