'The Gray Man': Ryan Gosling vs. Chris Evans in Russo Brothers' action-packed Netflix spy blockbuster

Directors Joe and Anthony Russo return to the world of summer blockbusters for the first time since Avengers: Endgame with the official trailer for Netflix's epic spy adventure, The Gray Man, which looks like a marriage between the Bond, Bourne and Mission: Impossible franchises. Adapted from the 2009 thriller novel of the same name penned by Mark Greaney the globe-trotting, $200+ million project stars Ryan Gosling (Blade Runner 2049) as Sierra Six, an anonymous, highly-trained, and wisecracking operative for the CIA forced to go on the run when he uncovers dark secrets about the covert agency known for its checkered past.

Hoping to get his head on a silver platter is Lloyd Hanson, a former psychopathic colleague played by Chris Evans (Captain America: The Winter Soldier). 

“He’s a trainwreck of a human being,” Evans said of his villainous character during an interview with Empire. “That guy can be anything in any scene, because all he wants is anarchy ... He’s so liberated, and free, and honest. What I like about him is that you should almost fear his smile more than his scowl. I think he understands that what he does is bad and harmful, but I think he considers himself necessary. He thinks he’s a disrupter."

Gosling was attracted to the titular role based on the protagonist's unfussy motivation, "which is just to be free," the actor said. "His goals aren't monetary, it's not about treasure, it's not about revenge. He just wants to the right to sit on the couch and watch Netflix like the rest of us."

The talented supporting cast includes: Ana de Armas (No Time to Die), Jessica Henwick (Iron Fist), Wagner Moura (Narcos), Dhanush (Maaran), Billy Bob Thornton (A Million Little Pieces), Alfre Woodard (Luke Cage), Regé-Jean Page (Bridgerton), Julia Butters (Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood), Eme Ikwuakor (Moonfall), and Scott Haze (Antlers).

Watch the trailer and a subsequent breakdown from the Russos below:

The Russo Brothers produced the film alongside Joe Roth, Jeffrey Kirschenbaum, Mike Larocca, and Chris Castaldi. Joe Russo shares screenplay credit with fellow MCU veterans: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

"We wanted to use The Winter Soldier as a springboard into something else action-oriented," Joe explained to Empire. "I remember reading the book in two days and going, 'That was fantastic, it's a great character, let's try to find a way into it.'"

Greaney's Gray Man series of novels currently boasts 11 titles, with a twelfth installment — Burner — scheduled to drop next year. As such, Netflix has no shortage of literary material if the first movie spawns an entire film franchise that draws in millions of subscribers, which, of course, is the streamer's ultimate goal.

The Gray Man arrives in select theaters Friday, July 15 before landing on Netflix the following week on July 22.

Looking for more wild action? Jurassic World Dominion opens June 9, and Fast & Furious sequel Fast X is in the works with its own epic two-parter of stunt chaos that starts on May 19, 2023.