Oscar-nominated actor Dev Patel is set to mark his directorial debut with the thrilling revenge tale “Monkey Man,” hitting theaters on April 5 under the Universal Pictures banner. Produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, the film’s first trailer was unveiled on Friday, offering a glimpse into the action-packed narrative.
In the movie, Patel takes on the role of Kid, an anonymous young man surviving in an underground fight club. Night after night, wearing a gorilla mask, Kid endures brutal beatings from more popular fighters for cash. The storyline draws inspiration from the Hindu deity Hanuman, embodying strength and courage.
The plot unfolds as Kid, after years of suppressed rage, discovers a way to infiltrate the city’s sinister elite enclave. Fueled by childhood trauma, his mysteriously scarred hands embark on a vengeful campaign to settle scores with those who stripped everything from him, showcasing a relentless quest for justice.
The trailer introduces viewers to intense action reminiscent of the “John Wick” series, with Patel’s character navigating a path of revenge, employing firearms, blades, and sheer brutality. The film, originally slated for Netflix, will now see a theatrical release through Monkeypaw’s collaboration with Universal.
“Monkey Man” boasts a cast including Sharlto Copley, Sobhita Dhulipala, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Ashwini Kalsekar, Adithi Kalkunte, Sikandar Kher, and Makarand Deshpande.
Dev Patel not only stars in the film but also directed it from his original story and collaborated on the screenplay with Paul Angunawela and John Collee. The production features an ensemble of producers, including Patel, Peele, Jomon Thomas, Win Rosenfeld, Ian Cooper, Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Christine Haebler, and Anjay Nagpal.
The movie’s executive producers include Jonathan Fuhrman, Natalya Pavchinskya, Aaron L. Gilbert, Andria Spring, Alison-Jane Roney, Steven Thibault, and Adam Somer. “Monkey Man” is presented by Universal Pictures in association with Bron Studios, Thunder Road Films, WME Independent, and Creative Wealth Media.