Oscar nominee Dev Patel, renowned for his roles in Lion and Slumdog Millionaire, has made what looks like an impressive directorial debut with Monkey Man. The action-thriller’s first trailer can be seen above.
Intriguingly inspired by Hindu icon Hanuman, a symbol of strength and courage, Monkey Man tells the story of one man’s relentless pursuit of vengeance against corrupt leaders responsible for his mother’s murder and the continued oppression of the underprivileged. Patel plays the lead character, Kid, a mysterious figure who dons a gorilla mask and endures brutal beatings in an underground fight club. Years of repressed anger push Kid to uncover a way to infiltrate the ranks of the city’s malevolent elite. As his childhood trauma resurfaces, his scarred hands become instruments of explosive retribution, seeking justice against those who robbed him of everything.
The screenplay was penned by Patel, Paul Angunawela and John Collee (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World). Patel also produced the film, along with Jordan Peele (Nope, Get Out), Jomon Thomas (Hotel Mumbai), Win Rosenfeld (Candyman, Hunters series), Ian Cooper (Nope, Us), Basil Iwanyk (John Wick franchise, Sicario films), Erica Lee (John Wick franchise, Silent Night), Christine Haebler (Shut In, Bones of Crows), and Anjay Nagpal (executive producer of Bombshell, Greyhound).
The international ensemble 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).
Monkey Man will open in Australian cinemas on 4 April and U.S. cinemas on 5 April.
