Stream The Gray Man now on Netflix

Anthony and Joe Russo know a thing or two about assembling an all-star cast. With The Gray Man, the directors of Avengers: Endgame have once again worked their magic. Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas and Regé-Jean Page? Have mercy on our poor eyes! And speaking of, we have an exclusive look at Gosling’s character, locked and loaded. 

Ryan Gosling.

Paul Abell/Netflix

Adapted from Mark Greaney’s novel series, The Gray Man stars Gosling as Court Gentry, aka Sierra Six, a CIA operative recruited from a federal penitentiary by Donald Fitzroy (Billy Bob Thornton) to act as a shadow assassin for the agency. Officially, he doesn’t exist, hence his nickname, The Gray Man. 

“The Gray Man is an incredibly mysterious character with a highly secretive past. In essence, he’s a ghost,” the Russo brothers tell Tudum. “A minimalist, [whose] job is to hide in plain sight. Kill when he needs to kill, and disappear.”

That explains why they needed Gosling to fill the role. “Ryan is exceptional at communicating volumes through a look or a gesture,” they continue. “Creating an interior life that translates in the most subtle and sublime ways. He also has fantastic control of his physicality. In essence, he is The Gray Man (minus the kill orders).”

But soon, the hunter becomes the prey as Six finds himself fleeing from a global manhunt headed by his former colleague, Lloyd Hansen (Evans). Lucky for him, Six has Agent Dani Miranda (Armas) on his side. 

The Russos have a long history with Evans, whom they directed in two Captain America installments as well as the Avengers franchise. Still, they had no doubt about casting this former hero as a villain. 

From left: Chris Evans, Anthony Russo and Joe Russo on the set of The Gray Man.

Paul Abell/Netflix

“Chris is one of the most technically gifted actors we’ve ever worked with. Highly trained. This allows him to take great risks as a performer,” the Russos say. “He's also a brilliant student of human behavior, which makes all of his choices, whether he’s playing Captain America or a sociopathic ex-CIA agent, [emotionally] truthful. But we do want to go on record and say, where Ryan Gosling may be The Gray Man, Chris Evans is certainly not a sociopath. Well, as far as we know...”

Jessica Henwick, Dhanush, Wagner Moura, Julia Butters and Alfre Woodard also star in the action thriller. The Gray Man drops on July 22. 

Ryan Gosling.

Paul Abell/Netflix

Chris Evans.

Paul Abell/Netflix

Ana de Armas.

Netflix

Regé-Jean Page.

Paul Abell/Netflix

Ryan Gosling.

Netflix