With a star-studded cast, the Russo brothers’ latest film, “The Gray Man” is a summer action feature that follows a game of cat and mouse between two of Hollywood’s favorite action stars, Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans. They star as Court Gentry and Lloyd Hansen, respectively. Audiences are excited to see the film that Netflix put $200 million up for. Based on Mark Greaney’s book series of 11 books, those involved in the film hope for potential sequels. Its smaller ensemble includes action veterans combining forces for a thrilling adventure.
Here’s your complete cast and character guide to the Russos’ “The Gray Man.”
Ryan Gosling as Court Gentry
Gosling returns from his four-year hiatus as Courtland “Court” Gentry, “The Gray Man” hero. Recruited by Donald Fitzroy, Court — a CIA mercenary — is joining an “off-the-books” government united known as the Sierra Six team. During his tenure, Gentry becomes one of the CIA’s biggest assets – until he uncovers classified information, that is. After being forced to go on the run, his sociopathic former colleague, Lloyd Hanse, sets a hit on him.
Gosling has been on the circuit for over 30 years, since his child acting days on “The Mickey Mouse Club.” As a leading man, Gosling has starred in films like “The Notebook,” “Blue Valentine,” “Drive,” and “Blade Runner 2049.” The two-time Oscar nominee —for “Half Nelson” and “La La Land” — has a few projects on the horizon, but audiences are most excited for his upcoming role as Ken in “Barbie.”
Chris Evans as Lloyd Hansen
The Russo brothers recruited Evans after the former Captain America starred in their various MCU projects: “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Captain America: Civil War,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” and “Avengers: Endgame.” This time, Evans switches sides and becomes the villainous antagonist, Lloyd Hansen. A former CIA colleague to Gosling’s Gentry, Lloyd turns on him and is determined to find and kill Gentry by any means necessary.
Evans’ breakout role was in the 2005 film “Fantastic Four” as the Human Torch. Evans has appeared in more than a few films outside of the MCU including “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” “Gifted,” “Knives Out,” “Snowpiercer” and most recently “Lightyear.” He has a few projects coming down the line, including a third film with Ana De Armas in “Ghosted,” a romantic-action film due in 2023.
Ana de Armas as Dani Miranda
Following her time as a Bond girl in “No Time to Die” Ana de Armas stars as another action figure as agent, Dani Miranda. One of Gentry’s (more unpredictable) allies outside of the Sierra team and agency. While not based on a specific character from the book series, Dani is inspired by a few characters in the books.
Armas broke out in 2017, after starring alongside Gosling in “Blade Runner 2049.” Two years later, Armas lead a star-studded ensemble in “Knives Out” — alongside Evans. After appearing in “Deep Water” and “The Night Clerk,” Armas will next star as Marilyn Monroe in the biopic “Blonde.”
Regé-Jean Page as Denny Carmichael
Page portrays Denny Carmichael, the Head Director of the CIA and the head of the Sierra team. With his authority, he holds the agency’s secrets close to him, including those Gentry uncovered.
Most known for his role as the Duke of Hastings, Simon Bassett in “Bridgerton” Page started in TV (“For the People”) and voice acting (“The Sandman”) prior to his breakout role. Most recently, he’s appeared in films including “Mortal Engines” and “Sylvie’s Love.”
Billy Bob Thornton as Donald Fitzroy
Thornton plays Gentry’s former mentor and head of the agency, Donald Fitzroy. Eventually, Donald was replaced by Denny, pushing him out of the agency and becoming Gentry’s caretaker and biggest ally.
Steadily working across mediums since the 1980s, Thornton’s work includes “The Man Who Wasn’t There,” “Monster’s Ball” and “Goliath,” as well as acting Oscar nominations for “A Simple Plan” and “Sling Blade” and a win forwriting the latter’s adapted screenplay.
Alfre Woodard as Margaret Cahill
Woodard portrays former CIA chief Margaret Cahill. Her character is an old friend of Gentry from their time together at the government agency.
For nearly 50 years, Woodard has been acting in film, TV and theater. She has appeared in “12 Years a Slave,” “Passion Fish,” and “Cross Creek,” the last of which scored her an Oscar nomination for her supporting role. On the small screen, Woodard has starred in “Desperate Housewives” and “True Blood,” earning a number of Emmy nominations, including repeated nominations for her work on “St. Elsewhere.” She’s won for her work on “LA Law,” “Hill Street Blues” and “St. Elsewhere.”
Dhanush as Avik San
Although Avik San, portrayed by Dhanush, isn’t working with Lloyd (Evans), the two have a similar goal to find Gentry and find the Sierra Six. Avik is not a character from the book,; the Russo brothers wrote this role specifically for Dhanush.
Dhanush is a well-knonw Indian actor, producer and director with most of his work appearing in Tamil cinema. He got his start in the early 2000s, but “The Gray Man” is Dhanush’s first big Hollywood film, ushering in the possibility for him to star in more Hollywood films in the future.
The cast of “The Gray Man” also includes Julia Butters, Jessica Henwick, Callan Mulvey, Eme Ikwuakor, Scott Haze, Michael Gandolfini, Sam Lerner, Robert Kazinsky and DeObia Oparei.
