Ahead of the film’s release this week, Netflix held a press conference featuring the cast of The Gray Man, the upcoming film from Anthony and Joe Russo (the directors of Avengers: Endgame).
The Gray Man is a film that features a star-studded cast, featuring both action movie veterans and up-and-coming stars.
In case you missed its announcement (and subsequent trailer releases), here’s a quick rundown of the series’ main cast, along with some interesting insight that they shared during the press conference.
The Gray Man (2022). Ryan Gosling as Six. Cr. Paul Abell/Netflix © 2022
Ryan Gosling on training for the movie:
There was, as you can imagine, a lot of training for the film. But, yeah, I had an incredible amount of help. There was an amazing stunt team. At first, they sort of went through all these different styles of martial arts and tried to curate it for you and the character. And then we had this amazing advisor named Chili Palmer, who’s an ex-Delta Force member. I tried to just join myself at the hip with him. He had all these, amazing tactical advice, and also these really amazing ideas.
The Gray Man (2022). Chris Evans as Lloyd Hansen. Cr. Paul Abell/Netflix © 2022
Chris Evans on playing the villain:
I mean, playing a villain is always a little more fun. You have a little bit more freedom, you get a lot more jokes, but working with the Russos is what gives that sense of trust and freedom. When you trust the filmmakers, you’re more willing to take risks, and certainly, a character like this demands risks. So, without the Russos and the relationship and rapport we have, I don’t know if I would have had such a rewarding experience.
The Gray Man (2022) Ana de Armas as Dani Miranda. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022
Ana de Armas on what caught her eye about the film:
I was very, very excited that the Russos thought of me and as soon as I got on the Zoom call with them and they presented this character for me and the story, I was in. And I wanted to work with Ryan again, I wanted to work with Chris again, and all these amazing cast members behind me.
Alfre Woodward on what drew here into The Gray Man:
The big draw for me was that when I read it, I was excited. It reads just as exciting as it is on film, and I wanted to impress my grown-up children with the cast. But it was really that it was taking place in Thailand, Hong Kong, Czech Republic, and London. And then I said, “Yes,” and then they told me that I was just gonna be in Long Beach [LAUGHS].
The Gray Man (2022). Billy Bob Thornton as Fitzroy. Cr. Paul Abell/Netflix © 2022
Billy Bob Thornton on what interested him about his character:
The thing that really interested me about the character is that here’s a guy who’s a high level spy, and there’s a part of that where you have to be sort of cold-blooded in a lot of ways. I mean, you have to make life and death decisions all the time, but then when you bring in the personal relationships, it’s like, “How do I remain a human and yet?”
The Gray Man (2022). Rege-Jean Page as Carmichael. Cr. Paul Abell/Netflix © 2022
Rege Jean Page on getting ready for the role:
I mean, it was very similar to the prep that you put into any role. I try to come at each script like a duckling that’s never seen a script before in my life, and kinda start fresh. I always make sure that this guy had a background, he had a reason to be the way he is, because the immediate reaction to Lloyd is you look at him and go, “Who does this?”
The Gray Man (2022). (L – R) Chris Evans as Lloyd Hansen, Jessica Henwick as Suzanne Brewer. Cr. Paul Abell/Netflix © 2022
Jessica Henwick on her interesting character arc:
I wanted it to be shocking, but I also wanted you to go, “Oh, okay, that makes sense.” I mean, to be surrounded by two douchebags for that long? Like, who wouldn’t snap?
The Gray Man (2022). (L – R) Julia Butters as Claire, Ryan Gosling as Six. Cr. Paul Abell/Netflix © 2022
Julia Butters on working with the cast
It was amazing working with these people. I respect them so much and I think they’re so incredibly talented. And I’m more of an observer than someone to ask for advice, and, I mean, whether that was watching Chris twitch into Lloyd, literally physically like… or [LAUGHS] watching Billy just take seconds to calm down and think. I honor them so much in their process.
The Gray Man (2022) Dhanush as Avik San. Cr. Paul Abell/Netflix © 2022
Dhanush on the experience of working on his first Hollywood blockbuster:
It was amazing. I had a great time understanding how Hollywood works. I’ve done about 50 films, 22 years of work in Indian film industry. You often don’t get chance to feel like a newcomer because the first time it all happens in a blur, you don’t realize what’s happening but this time, you know, I had an opportunity to look at myself like a newcomer.
Growing up watching Hollywood films and to be in one is like really… yeah, it’s nice. And I’m very thankful to the Russos for finding me and casting me.
The Gray Man release exclusively on Netflix on July 22, 2022.