This is the kind of film that made me want to make movies...
RYAN GOSLING AND CO-STAR CHRIS EVANS CHAT TO DANIELLE DE WOLFE ABOUT THEIR NEW THRILLER, THE GRAY MAN
you think of directorial double acts, the Emmy Awardwinning Russo brothers are probably among the first to spring to mind.
The talent behind Marvel films including Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame, Joe and Anthony’s latest cinematic endeavour feels an altogether more grounded adventure.
The Gray Man takes us into the dangerous world of super spy Court Gentry – aka, Sierra Six.
Played by Ryan Gosling, Six is a former prisoner recruited by the CIA to do their bidding – no questions asked. But when one assignment leads Six to accidentally uncover sinister agency secrets, psychopathic former colleague Lloyd Hansen (played by Captain America actor Chris Evans) places a bounty on his head.
The starry cast also includes Oscar-winner Billy Bob Thornton as Gentry’s handler, Donald Fitzroy, Bridgerton’s Regé-Jean Page as Denny Carmichael, the director of the CIA’s National Clandestine Service, as well as Bond girl and Knives Out star Ana de Armas as agent Dani Miranda.
It’s an action-packed, globetrotting romp with locations including Prague in the Czech Republic, Croatia and a lavish 19th-century chateau near the French capital, Paris.
It’s also one of Netflix’s biggest on-screen gambles, with the streaming platform sinking an estimated $200m into its production.
“It’s really the first time in his life that he’s had any kind of power,” notes twotime Academy Awardnominee Ryan, 41, of his enigmatic character.
“He was powerless as a child to a very domineering father, he was powerless to the prison system and then powerless to the CIA.
“So, even though everything is very cinematic and the stakes are heightened, his story is very relatable, in a way, because all he really wants is to have some kind of control over himself and over his own life.”
Adapted from The Gray Man series of novels, written by author Mark Greaney, the concept originally caught the Russo brothers’ attention after a former colleague handed them the origin book.
Anthony explains that, for him, the source material’s primary draw was the difficulty in retaining a spy’s anonymity, paired with what he describes as a “granular level of detail”.
“All spies are secretive people, all spies have to live with anonymity and have to be able to move without being seen, noticed, without being recognised,” explains the 52-year-old.
“The Gray Man is the spy’s spy. He comes from this programme – the Sierra Programme – which furloughs prisoners to serve in the CIA... this is a spy to the 10th degree.”
Needless to say, with lives on the line and hidden identities to preserve, drama is guaranteed. With Gentry’s discovery setting off a global manhunt, it’s not long before he finds himself the target of internaWHEN tional assassins who are employed by his own boss.
Will he outmanoeuvre those above him? Only time will tell.
Canadian-born Ryan says the script immediately appealed to him.
“Personally, it’s the kind of film that I would have loved growing up,” reflects the La La Land and Barbie actor. “It’s the kind of film that made me want to make movies.
“It gives you all of the larger-thanlife action sequences and set pieces, but at the same time you get to follow these characters. I also think Six is relatable because he’s an analogue hero in a digital world.”
Describing how Ryan “knocked it out the park” with his performance, co-star Chris says the project was first and foremost an entertaining endeavour.
“It’s tough to call it a job,” says Chris.
Lloyd is hired by former schoolmate Carmichael to hunt down the Gray Man – Six.
Given Lloyd lasted a grand total of five and a half months at the CIA before being dismissed for unauthorised torture and a lack of impulse control, the newly free agent’s choice of career can only be described as less of a job, and more of a sport.
“I don’t get the opportunity to play those types of roles often,” reflects Chris of tackling the role of a sadistic former agent. “I don’t think that’s how I’m seen.
“But as an actor, you’re dying to do stuff like that.”
The project served up a number of unique opportunities for Chris – most notably the chance to grow a striking 70s-inspired moustache.
It’s a distinctive look and Netflix is already ahead of the game, selling replicas labelled the ‘Trash Stache’ for £17 a time.
“My moustache!” laughs the 41-year-old actor jubilantly.
“What can I say? Certain characters just come to life through something simple, whether it’s wardrobe or a prop. The second that we cut that moustache I was like, ‘Oh, there he is, there’s this psycho’.”
With the Russo brothers taking the opportunity to bring villainous fantasies to life on-screen, The Gray Man is a high-octane adventure packed with dark twists and turns.
Describing the pair’s adoration of “morally grey and complex” characters, Joe Russo says the film is really about a “battle of wills”.
“My brother and I love complicated villains. We love villains that are heroes in their own stories,” reflects the 51-year-old.
“We have an amazing cast that really filled out the world in a way that feels three-dimensional, thoughtful, alive, dramatic.
“And any of these characters could take you on a story or take you on a journey to a different part of this world.”
The Gray Man is in selected cinemas and on Netflix now