Dev Patel writes, directs, and stars in “Monkey Man,” a brutal story of son’s revenge against those who slaughtered his mother.
Oscar-nominated actor Patel makes his directorial debut with the action thriller, which is inspired by the legend of Hanuman, an icon embodying strength and courage. Patel stars as Kid, an anonymous man whose mother was murdered by corrupt government leaders. Kid now works at an underground fight club where, night after night and wearing a gorilla mask, he is beaten bloody by more popular fighters for cash.
Per the official synopsis: “After years of suppressed rage, Kid discovers a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city’s sinister elite. As his childhood trauma boils over, his mysteriously scarred hands unleash an explosive campaign of retribution to settle the score with the men who took everything from him.”
In addition to Patel, the cast includes Sharlto Copley, Sobhita Dhulipala, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Ashwini Kalsekar, Adithi Kalkunte, Sikandar Kher, and Makarand Deshpande
Lead actor/director Patel penned the screenplay with Paul Angunawela and John Collee. Per Deadline, the film was originally slated to be released by Netflix, but after Oscar winner Jordan Peele saw the feature, he moved the project to Universal as a producer through his Monkeypaw production banner so that the movie could have a theatrical release. IndieWire has reached out to Universal, Monkeypaw, and Peele for comment.
“Monkey Man” is produced by Patel, Peele, Jomon Thomas, Win Rosenfeld, Ian Cooper, Christine Haebler, and Anjay Nagpal. “John Wick” franchise producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee also produce.
Executive producers include Jonathan Fuhrman, Natalya Pavchinskya, Adam Somer, Aaron L. Gilbert, Andria Spring, Alison-Jane Roney, and Steven Thibault.
“Monkey Man” is a Universal Pictures and Bron Studios production with Thunder Road, Monkeypaw, and Minor Realm/S’Ya Concept, in association with WME Independent and Creative Wealth Media.
“Monkey Man” premieres April 5 in theaters. Check out the trailer below.
