The Gray Man: Ryan Gosling-Chris Evans' film aims to establish broader franchise

The Gray Man, featuring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans and Dhanush, is one of the most anticipated films of the year. The makers recently released the trailer of the film and it has got the fans excited. And to add to the delight of the fans, makers have said that the film has a huge 'universe potential'.

While speaking at The Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything Festival, The Gray Man co-director Anthony Russo of his and brother Joe Russo's production company said, everything they are producing at AGBO has universe potential. The Gray Man features a vast cast and a multi-layered plot in which you are just viewing the tip of the iceberg. It is extensive. He further said that it has got a lot of ideas about where they want to go next.

Anthony Russo's remarks reflect allegations that a prequel and sequel to The Gray Man were in the pipeline prior to the movie's Netflix premiere. According to these rumours, Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are preparing on a Gray Man prequel, which will star Chris Evans as the nefarious Lloyd Hansen. A sequel, penned by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely and starring Gosling as Court Gentry, is also in the works.

The addition of Gosling and Evans to the next action movie in July 2020 was confirmed. Based on the movie's success, co-director Joe Russo revealed at the time that the goal was to establish a broader franchise for The Gray Man. "The plan is to develop a franchise and a full universe," he said. They had all committed to the first film and they would feel fantastic to bring viewers the second installment. These are master assassins, and Gosling's character is exposed by the CIA, prompting Evans' character to go on the hunt for him.

The Gray Man, based on Mark Greaney's 2009 novel of the same name, features Gosling as Court Gentry, an ex-CIA spy on the run from his former colleague Lloyd Hansen, played by Evans. It also features Ana de Armas. The screenplay for The Gray Man, helmed by Joe and Anthony Russo, was penned by Joe Russo, Markus, and McFeely, and is produced by the Russo brothers' production company, AGBO.

The Gray Man, as per Anthony Russo, shares some characteristics with their past Marvel Cinematic Universe endeavours, notably the Captain America movies, which starred Chris Evans as the lead superhero. "This is us stepping into that terrain in a much more real-world context for individuals who were fans of Captain America: Winter Soldier," Russo added. Marvel Studios' first three Captain America films, as well as Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, were helmed by the Russo brothers.

The Gray Man will have a limited release in theatres on July 15, followed by a Netflix release on July 22. This is reportedly the most pricey movie Netflix has ever made, with a production budget of $200 million.