Netflix is working on a sequel and spin-off of The Gray Man. The platform intends to form complete universes around many franchises.
It’s only been a few days since Netflix offered The Gray Man on its platform, its most expensive film yet, but the company has already announced plans to make it a major franchise. A sequel is in development with Ryan Gosling and directors Joe and Anthony Russi. However, Netflix has not specified when the latter will arrive.
Netflix is working on a sequel and spin-off of The Gray Man
Also in development is a spin-off from Zombieland and Deadpool writers Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese. Netflix says this film explores a different side of the Gray Man universe, but details are scarce at the moment.
Both critics and the general public have well received The Gray Man. The film has a score of 91 on Rotten Tomatoes. When it was released on Friday, it took first place on Netflix in 92 countries. It had over 88.55 million hours watched the following Sunday, according to Netflix.
Time will tell if this success will help Netflix retain its subscribers and attract new ones. The company lost about 1 million subscribers last quarter, although the situation is not as dire as Netflix feared.
The company reportedly spent $200 million on the Gray Man. So it’s not surprising that Netflix, strictly speaking, licenses it. The American giant is preparing other blockbuster sequels, including Evacuation and Army of the Dead. Netflix is also working on a sequel to Knives Out.
The platform intends to form complete universes around many franchises.
If it’s not obvious, Netflix is very active in building its own franchises. “We want to have our version of Star Wars and our version of Harry Potter, and we’re hard at work on that,”original series vice president Matthew Thanell told Reuters last week.
Netflix already has several successful franchises. A Stranger Things spin-off and a play are in development. The company has developed the Korean version of La Casa de Papel and is working on a spin-off. She will also go further with Squid Game, Bridgerton and The Witcher.