Why The Gray Man 2 Could Fix What the First Movie Got Wrong

Ryan Gosling and his friend Rocky have become the talk of the town after the release of Project Hail Mary (2026), which translates complex science into a deeply emotional cinematic experience.  ​

Previously, Gosling had already won over viewers with a wide range of performances, including high-octane action roles. One such outing delivered an interesting contrast; while audiences embraced his action-hero persona, critics were far less impressed. With The Gray Man 2 now in discussion, The Gray Man (2022), a PG-13 adaptation of a popular novel, remains a key reference point.

The film was packed with explosive set pieces and unremitting pacing, yet it struggles to overcome its more obvious flaws. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, collectively known as the Russo Brothers (The Electric State), the story is based on Mark Greaney’s first in a highly acclaimed 15-novel series and follows a CIA mercenary, Court Gentry (Sierra Six, played by Ryan Gosling), who uncovers dark agency secrets.

A high-ranking official hires a private contractor, Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans), to kill Six and retrieve the data. Hansen utilizes clever ways to get to Six and kidnaps his niece, Claire. Meanwhile, Six is assisted by Agent Dani Miranda (Ana de Armas) and eventually saves Claire. Miranda exposes the data filled with corruption.​

The film was Russos’ second feature project that gained a massive fan following of 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes but a considerably lower critics’ score of 45 percent, despite being Netflix’s number one after its streaming debut. In response to this enthusiasm, the Russo brothers announced plans for a sequel; however, as of now, the status of The Gray Man 2 remains unconfirmed, and official updates are still pending.​

It is not confirmed whether Ryan Gosling will be in the next installment. Soon after the first film’s release, the news surfaced, reporting that Ryan Gosling is not in the talks for the sequel. This does not mean that he will never be contacted for the next part, as he laid the foundation of Six’s character.​

The Playlist mentioned Anthony Russo confirming their interest in the sequel, as he said,​

“There’s still interest, yeah…There’s interest, [it’s] just the availability issues between Joe and I and Mr. Gosling and et cetera.” [Source]​

Currently, the Russos are busy with Avengers: Doomsday, which is expected to release on December 18, 2026. Chris Evans is reprising his role as Captain America, while Ryan Gosling is not involved in the Marvel-verse.      

Possible key fixes in The Gray Man 2

The Gray Man 2 has the potential to fix the criticism that arose from its 2022 original. While the novel keeps the pace and suspense intact, the directors fell short in translating the same thrill into the film.​

Keeping an experimental approach in mind, the sequel could focus on the shortfalls and work on making an action-heavy flick into a stronger, more cohesive franchise.

Have a nuanced plot

While the action was lauded by the viewers, the directors could rethink a hard R-rated film. The first film was PG-13, which meant it was free from gory and detailed fight scenes. But taking the example of the John Wick franchise, intense action with graphic violence offers the artistic vision that its die-hard fans have loved for years.

It does not have profanity or sexual content and still keeps the high body count a strong element of an R-rated action film. The stunt-led action is appreciated more than CGI, as they want a “no-nonsense” approach. Shaky fight scenes are outdated, and highly stylized dark action sequences are the new neon-noir aesthetics that modern audiences are in love with.​

Have more grounded cinematography

Taking lessons from this modus operandi, more grounded cinematography that prioritizes realism with a believable atmosphere could serve a more lived-in and naturalistic stance for The Gray Man 2.​

Grounded cinematography was mainly evident in films from the 1990s and early 2000s, when limited budgets demanded creative and realistic shooting. The color gradients and picturizing style were such that they focused on intense drama to bring a sense of realism to the characters and filmography.

The same is required in the next Gray Man film. Unlike Marvel movies that deploy “heightened” cinema tactics to wow the audience with bright colors and rapid editing, grounded cinematography will have to aim for a more humanistic strategy that should be less fantastical.  ​

Build narrative tension

Action alone won’t be enough to make The Gray Man 2 truly stand out. While the novels succeed in maintaining gripping tension—reflected in their strong readership and ratings—the sequel needs to step up when it comes to building a more engaging and layered narrative.

With an existing story to draw from, likely the second book in the long-running series, the filmmakers already have a solid foundation. However, they must move beyond familiar spy clichés that held the first film back. Narrative tension was one of its weakest points, and there is plenty to learn from franchises like Mission: Impossible, which balance spectacle with smart storytelling. For The Gray Man 2 to succeed, it needs a sharper blend of high-octane action and well-crafted plot development.

Better character development

All of these improvements would naturally push the directors toward crafting more morally complex characters and a nuanced storyline—one that moves beyond one-dimensional heroes. While the first novel itself didn’t lean heavily into moral complexity, it still holds an advantage in its level of detail, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the finer elements that sustain engagement throughout a fast-paced thriller.​

While films have a limited runtime, the directors have to be extra careful about what to show. Modern audiences have a strong preference for morally complex or “grey” characters in films that resonate more with flawed human themes. This course of action engenders deeper empathy from the viewers for the character, which would provide the true meaning of the story in The Gray Man 2.​

Even if we take one character, the protagonist, Court Gentry, aka Six, who was a highly skilled former CIA special operations person turned freelance assassin. In the second book, his character is more deeply explored by the author as he develops an addiction to painkillers due to injuries sustained in the previous novel. His physical and emotional vulnerabilities are evident, giving the directors an advantage here to show moral ambiguity.  ​

A stronger Dani Miranda role

Dani Miranda was a character only created for the first film, who was originally not in the novel. Ana de Armas played the role quite impressively, and a stronger, more central role for Miranda could be a game-changer for The Gray Man 2.

Ana de Armas has already proven her strength in the action genre with Ballerina (2025), where her morally layered character resonated strongly with audiences. The Gray Man franchise has a real opportunity to elevate itself by fully tapping into her range—something that could seed the rise of a co-protagonist alongside Six. This shift could introduce a compelling “buddy spy” dynamic, driven by her tactical intelligence, field expertise, and stronger independence rather than relying on rescue. By investing in deeper character development for her role, The Gray Man 2 could directly address one of the biggest criticisms of the first film: its lack of depth in character writing. The result would be a more character-driven narrative, elevated by the kind of high-impact action sequences audiences expect.