Pair will write and direct the potential franchise starter…
Filmmaking siblings Anthony and Joe Russo (‘Captain America: The Winter,’ ‘Community’) are set to take the helm of an adaptation of Mark Greaney’s novel ‘The Gray Man’ for Sony Pictures.
Published back in 2009, the thriller is the first in a four-part series centring on Court Gentry, a former CIA operative-turned-assassin who suddenly finds himself on the run through Europe as mysterious forces try to take him out.
“We found the material to be very compelling and ultra realistic and has a great character at the heart of it,” . “We are most interested in stories that are entrenched in the most modern elements that go on today and we think this book does an amazing job at explaining that.”
Joe Roth and Palak Patel are attached to produce and are aiming to launch a new franchise with the thriller. “We think this could be the next ‘Bourne Identity’ movie series,” Roth told Variety, adding, “The Russo brothers are the most dynamic filmmakers working today.”
James Gray (‘We Own the Night,’ ‘The Immigrant’) was linked to the director’s chair when the project was set up over at New Regency, with Brad Pitt rumoured for the lead.