Oscar® nominee Dev Patel, renowned for his performances in Lion and Slumdog Millionaire, makes a striking directorial debut with Monkey Man, an action thriller that weaves a tale of vengeance and justice. Drawing inspiration from the legend of Hanuman, a symbol of strength and courage, Patel not only directs but also stars as the protagonist in this gripping narrative.
The Story of Kid
Monkey Man centers around Kid, portrayed by Patel, a young man who anonymously competes in an underground fight club. Concealed behind a gorilla mask, Kid endures brutal beatings from more popular fighters, earning his living through these violent encounters. However, beneath this facade of a fighter lies a deep-seated rage, stemming from a traumatic past where corrupt leaders murdered his mother and continued to oppress the disadvantaged.
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Kid’s journey is one of transformation and retribution. Discovering a path to infiltrate the city’s corrupt elite, he embarks on a mission fueled by years of suppressed anger. His scarred hands become instruments of justice, unleashing a relentless campaign against those who robbed him of everything.
A Spectacle of Action and Thrills
Patel’s Monkey Man promises an array of exhilarating fight sequences and high-octane chase scenes, showcasing his prowess both in front of and behind the camera. The film is a product of Patel’s original story, brought to life through his screenplay collaboration with Paul Angunawela and John Collee (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World).
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The film boasts an impressive international cast, including Sharlto Copley (District 9), Sobhita Dhulipala (Made in Heaven), Pitobash (Million Dollar Arm), and more. Each actor brings a unique dimension to the story, enriching the narrative with their performances.
A Monkey Paw Production
Monkey Man is a testament to collaborative filmmaking, with Patel at the helm as a producer alongside a team of acclaimed producers including Jordan Peele (Nope, Get Out), Basil Iwanyk (John Wick franchise), and others. The executive production team further adds to the film’s robust creative force.
Presented by Universal Pictures, Monkey Man is a production that involves multiple studios, including Bron Studios, Thunder Road, Monkeypaw Productions, and others. This collaboration signifies the film’s broad appeal and the high expectations surrounding it.
As an action thriller, Monkey Man is set to redefine the genre with its unique blend of emotional depth, cultural significance, and adrenaline-pumping action. Dev Patel’s directorial venture is not just a film; it’s a cinematic experience that promises to captivate audiences worldwide.
Monkey Man releases exclusively in theaters on April 5, 2024.
About Monkey Man
Release Date: April 5, 2024
Director: Dev Patel
Story by: Dev Patel
Screenplay by: Dev Patel and Paul Angunawela and John Collee
Producers: Dev Patel, Jomon Thomas, Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, Ian Cooper, Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Christine Haebler, Anjay Nagpal
Executive Producers: Jonathan Fuhrman, Natalya Pavchinskya, Aaron L. Gilbert, Andria Spring, Alison-Jane Roney, Steven Thibault
Genre: Action Thriller
Cast: Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Sikandar Kher, Sobhita Dhulipala, Ashwini Kalsekar, Adithi Kalkunte, Makarand Deshpande
Synopsis
Inspired by the legend of Hanuman, an icon embodying strength and courage, Monkey Man stars Patel as Kid, an anonymous young man who ekes out a meager living in an underground fight club where, night after night, wearing a gorilla mask, he is beaten bloody by more popular fighters for cash. 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.
Are you ready to witness Dev Patel’s transformation from acclaimed actor to a visionary director in Monkey Man? How will this action thriller redefine the genre? What are your expectations from this unique blend of cultural mythology and modern-day storytelling? Let us know what you think on Discord!
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