Dev Patel to make his directorial debut with Monkey Man

In 2008, Dev Patel stole the hearts of millions as a poverty-stricken ‘chai-seller’ in Slumdog Millionaire. Since then, the Indian-English actor has scored number of critically acclaimed movies and is now all set to make his first directorial debut. As per sources, Dev Patel is to star and direct his first film, Monkey Man, an action revenge flick. Monkey Man tells the story of Kid who emerges from prison to cope with a world that is marred by corporate greed and swamped with spiritual values. The film is set in a modern-day India which much like its reality still grapples with mythology. 

Apart from taking the director’s chair, Patel has co-written the script for the movie with Paul Angunawela and John Collee. Monkey Man will be introduced to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market by Endeavor Content who will be handling the film’s worldwide sales. 

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“Monkey Man is filled with vivid characters and thrilling action scenes and Dev’s precise vision of a stylized and highly energetic genre film will appeal to audiences around the world,” said Alex Walton, EVP, International Film Sales and Distribution at Endeavor Content.
“Monkey Man is a vibrant, thrilling and above all entertaining story,” said producer Basil Iwanyk in a statement. “We are excited to be teaming up with Dev, who has great creative instincts making him a natural director.”

The soon-to-be director/actor won the BAFTA for the heart-wrenching, biographic movie Lion while also scoring both the Oscar and the Golden Globe nominations. 

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The young actor has just finished filming, The Personal History of David Copperfield, starring Tilda Swinton and Hugh Laurie. The production for Monkey Man is set to start in Mumbai in the spring of 2019. Meanwhile, Dev Patel will be seen next in Hotel Mumbai and The Wedding Guest, both set for release in 2019.