To say that Monkey Man is something of a passion project for the highly sought-after Dev Patel is something of an understatement.
Patel stars in the martial arts action thriller and also directed and co-wrote the feature.
Recently, Patel told Access Hollywood, "I’ve been bruised, battered, and emotionally torn up by it, and I’ve had to say goodbye to some of the most amazing opportunities as an actor to kind of stick with this.”
A new behind-the-scenes featurette has recently been released for the film, which you can check out below.
A new poster for the film has also been released.
On March 11, 2024, Monkey Man made its world premiere at South by Southwest (SXSW). Universal Pictures plans to distribute the film in the US on April 5, 2024. The film received a standing ovation at SXSW at the conclusion of its premiere.
The film was originally going to be released by Netflix but it after Jordan Peele saw the pic, he felt it deserved to be released in theaters and acquired the rights through his Monkeypaw Productions banner, which has a first look deal with Universal.
Coming out of SXSW, Monkey Man has a 93% approval rating from 40 reviews.
Monkey Man Official Synopsis: Oscar nominee Dev Patel (Lion, Slumdog Millionaire) achieves an astonishing, tour-de-force feature directing debut with an action thriller about one man’s quest for vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimize the poor and powerless.
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.
Packed with thrilling and spectacular fight and chase scenes, Monkey Man is directed by Dev Patel from his original story and his screenplay with Paul Angunawela and John Collee (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World).
The film’s international cast includes Sharlto Copley (District 9), Sobhita Dhulipala (Made in Heaven), Pitobash (Million Dollar Arm), Vipin Sharma (Hotel Mumbai), Ashwini Kalsekar (Ek Tha Hero), Adithi Kalkunte (Hotel Mumbai), Sikandar Kher (Aarya) and Makarand Deshpande (RRR).