Discover how Netflix's *The Gray Man* combines thrilling international locations and strategic filming choices to create a breathtaking spy adventure.

🎬 Netflix's The Gray Man isn't just a globe-trotting spy thriller on screen—it literally traveled the world during production! Directed by the Russo brothers (Anthony and Joe), this action-packed film starring Ryan Gosling as Sierra Six and Chris Evans as Lloyd Hansen utilized real international locations to create its breathtaking visual spectacle. With a massive budget making it Netflix's most expensive film to date, the production team made strategic decisions about where to film authentic scenes versus using constructed sets. 🌍

California: The Home Base

Despite the international storyline, The Gray Man actually began its production journey in Long Beach, California in March 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic caused delays, but once filming commenced, the team utilized a massive 1,200,000 square foot former Boeing manufacturing hangar to build 21 different sets. This location has Hollywood pedigree, having previously hosted blockbusters like Iron Man. Many of the film's interior scenes were shot here, including:

• Florida State Prison (flashback sequences)

• CIA Technical Operations Center in Langley

• Monaco torture chamber where Lloyd Hansen is introduced

• Vienna betrayal scene with the trap door

• Berlin meeting between Dani and Carmichael

🇨🇿 Czech Republic: The Action Hub

The Czech Republic served as the primary international filming location, with Prague hosting some of the film's most intense action sequences. Director Joe Russo described "10 days of gunfire and explosions and car crashes" in Prague's city square. The production team used custom tram props for the epic tram fight sequence rather than risking damage to historic real trams.

Other Czech locations included:

• Průhonice, Smíchov, Žižkov, Holešovice, and Karlín (various city districts)

• Milovice and Ústí nad Labem (additional towns)

• Czech Republic standing in for Baku (despite the story location)

Anthony Russo praised the Czech Republic as "super film friendly, very film savvy"—high praise from the veteran director!

🏰 France & Croatia: The Climactic Finale

The film's dramatic climax was shot at the historic Chateau de Chantilly in France, located just 30 miles outside Paris. This 14th-century castle has cinematic history, having previously appeared in the James Bond film A View to a Kill. The production filmed at night after the grounds closed to visitors. However, in a clever filmmaking trick, Joe Russo revealed they "took the Chateau from France and placed it in a moat in Croatia"—literally combining locations from two countries for the final sequence!

🌏 Asia: Authentic Backdrops

While much of the "Asian" locations were filmed elsewhere, the production did visit Thailand for certain sequences. The Chiang Mai airport scene where Six escapes Asia was likely filmed on location. Additionally, the production used Prague to double as Bangkok for the inciting mission that kicks off the entire plot.

🎯 Filming Strategy & Challenges

The Russo brothers employed a smart combination of location shooting and set construction to maximize their budget while maintaining authenticity. Key strategies included:

Location Type	Examples	Benefits
Real International Locations	Prague, France, Thailand	Authentic scenery, cultural accuracy
Sets in Long Beach	Prison, CIA headquarters, torture chamber	Cost control, weather independence
Location Doubling	Czech Republic as Baku, Prague as Bangkok	Budget efficiency, logistical simplicity

📍 Unconfirmed Locations

Several location cards in the film don't have confirmed filming spots:

• London flashback sequences (likely Long Beach sets)

• Hong Kong scenes (possibly staged in Thailand)

• Various interior locations throughout Europe

💫 Why Location Matters

The global filming approach significantly enhanced The Gray Man's visual appeal and authenticity. By combining real international locations with carefully constructed sets, the Russo brothers created a believable world for their high-stakes spy thriller. The choice to film in historically significant locations like Chateau de Chantilly added layers of visual richness that CGI alone couldn't achieve.

As streaming services continue to invest in blockbuster productions, The Gray Man sets a new standard for how to strategically use global locations while maintaining production efficiency. The film's success demonstrates that audiences appreciate the authenticity that comes from real-world filming—even when those locations might be standing in for completely different places in the story! 🎬✨