Promising Revamp For Blockbuster Netflix & Ryan Gosling Action Franchise Hinted After Underwhelming Debut

Article Overview

The Gray Man 2 needs to spend more time developing Ryan Gosling's character to take advantage of his incredible acting range and star power.

The excessive amount of action in the initial film overshadowed the characters, leading to disappointing reviews. Ryan Gosling's recent accomplishments position him as a crucial element for the potential triumph of The Gray Man 2 as they extend the franchise.

In The Gray Man 2, one of Netflix's executives hints at a significant alteration to a key character. Directed by the Russo Brothers, the film, which is set to be released in 2022, revolves around a CIA operative marked for death. The Gray Man was intended to serve as the inaugural installment of a new film series, with the sequel, The Gray Man 2, having been officially confirmed last summer.

Scott Stuber, the Head of Netflix Film, delves into changes made to the narrative of The Gray Man 2. In an interview with Collider, Stuber reveals that the sequel will afford more screen time to Ryan Gosling's character. Later in the interview, Stuber also comments on the excessive amount of action present in the first film, providing context for this shift. The full statement from Stuber can be found below.

When discussing it, one advantage we possess is the presence of exceptional and captivating actors who bring their uniquness to the table. Hence, Joe and Anthony [Russo] have been contemplating on how to maximize the screen time of the immensely talented Ryan Gosling, whom I personally find extraordinary. Observing his current work, I believe he may be unmatched in terms of his versatility and accomplishments as an actor. Having him in a franchise like this is a tremendous asset, so we must take our time to carefully evaluate what makes his character exceptional and how we can further develop the story.

Ensuring we get it right is crucial. The Russo brothers themselves would acknowledge that they had delivered the biggest box office success of all time, and when transitioning into the realm of streaming, they aspired to replicate that achievement. However, we may have gone too heavy on the action in that film. There ended up being an excess of action-packed sequences, and perhaps we should have dialed it back a bit to focus more on the character development.

The Gray Man Faltered (But The Gray Man 2 Can Make Improvements)

In his interview, Stuber emphasizes several important points about The Gray Man. Firstly, it was only the second directorial effort from The Russo Brothers, following 2021's Cherry, after the huge success of Avengers: Endgame, which grossed nearly $2.8 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film in history. The Russo Brothers took on the challenge of creating an original action franchise with The Gray Man, offering them significant potential for growth and development.

Secondly, Stuber raises the issue that The Gray Man's action often overshadowed its characters. Upon its release, The Gray Man received mixed reviews, earning a 44% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics felt that the film struggled with its screenplay, particularly in its sparse action sequences that failed to fully showcase the talents of its charismatic actors. Stuber indicates that to improve the screenplay for The Gray Man 2, greater emphasis should be placed on the development of the characters, aligning with his viewpoint.

In terms of range and accomplishments, I'm unsure if there's a superior actor to [Gosling] out there.

In addition, Stuber discloses that Ryan Gosling is the key to success for The Gray Man 2. Following his exceptional performance in Barbie, Gosling has elevated his stardom to a greater level. The upcoming installment of The Gray Man franchise has the potential to capitalize on this success and hopefully secure a strong position in the franchise.

Source: Collider

Editor's P/S

As a fan of Ryan Gosling and the action genre, I am excited about the potential for The Gray Man 2 to improve upon its predecessor. The first film had a lot of action, but it was criticized for its lack of character development. I agree with Scott Stuber's assessment that the sequel needs to spend more time developing Ryan Gosling's character. Gosling is a talented actor with a wide range, and I believe he has the potential to carry a franchise like The Gray Man.

I am also encouraged by Stuber's comments about the action in the sequel. He said that the first film had too much action, and that the sequel will focus more on the characters. I think this is a wise decision, as it will allow the audience to connect with the characters on a deeper level. Overall, I am optimistic about the potential for The Gray Man 2. I believe it has the potential to be a great action film with strong characters and a compelling story.