Monkey Man

Coming in with his directorial debut, Dev Patel presents Monkey Man, an action thriller film set to release in 2024.. With a scheduled theatrical date of April 5, 2024, the project promises to gather a stellar cast including Patel himself along with Pitobash, Sobhita Dhulipala, Sharlto Copley, Ashwini Kalsekar, Makarand Deshpande, Sikandar Kher and more. And with a trailer promising of a compelling storyline and high-octane action sequences, Monkey Man does look like a riveting tale for the big screen.

And for those who are planning to get Money Man advance tickets to enjoy on the big screen at theaters nearby, here is everything we know about the film so far.

Quick overview of Monkey Man plot

With his foray into filmmaking, Dev Patel comes up with an original story which is much reminiscent of classic films like John Wick.

Inspiration for the plot

Unfolding in the backdrops of modern Mumbai, the narrative of the film draws heavy inspiration from the legend of Lord Hanuman to weave a compelling narrative.

The quest for justice

The plot for Monkey Man introduces the audience to a young man who works at an underground fight club and has to endure regular bloody beatings everyday just to make some money. And as the character endures the beating, rage starts to accumulate inside. This leads him to infiltrate the elite of the city who are hinted to be the powerful overlords preying on the weak. As the character embarks on a journey of retribution against those who wronged him, the plot does seem quite compelling to watch.

Monkey Man cast

The ensemble cast of the film brought forth by the creators do a brilliant job of boosting the film’s appeal and Dev Patel delivers a powerful performance as the lead which perfectly encapsulates the struggles of the character. Further depth and diversity to the character dynamics of the film is lent by the brilliant ensemble of supporting cast including major talents like Sobhita Dhulipala, Sikandar Kher, Vipin Sharma, Ashwini Kalsekar, Sharlto Copley among others.

Monkey Man trailer reception

The audience were treated with a glimpse into Dev’s directorial debut with some amazing action sequences. Here’s everything to know about the trailer.

Unleashing action on screen

With the trailer dropping, significant buzz has been generated among the audience.

The trailer features some brilliantly featured action sequences reminiscent of many action franchises. The lead character is seen going through a visceral journey of violent retribution for those who wronged him. Scenes of shooting, brutal hand combat with gunmen and stabbing are frequently thought out the trailer hinting to the audience it is targeting. Scenes like Patel brutally stabbing a man through the neck while gripping a knife between his teeth was simply a brilliantly choreographed sequence.

Brilliance from the creators

The trailer of this Action New flick does seem to offer a unique blend of pumped action sequences and a gripping character arc. The writers do seem to have done their part in delivering a compelling narrative, at least from the looks of the trailer.

Behind the sets of Monkey Man

Securing a theatrical release in 2024, the announcement of the project can be traced back to 2018 with Deve Patel announcing his directorial debut.

Production

The project went into production right in October 2018 and took almost three years to complete filming, with principal photography concluding in March 2021. Although the worldwide rights to the film were acquired by OTT, the creators, impressed with the cinematic quality, opted for a theatrical release.

Action choreography

The fight sequences are some of the most authentic looking and boasting a brilliant team of action choreographers, the end product really shines. Lead choreographer Brahim Crab, known for his work with martial art legends like Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen brings his experience to the production team. And the intensity of the action does seem to offer something to views quite rarely seen in cinema.

Monkey Man switches release banner

Originally slated for an OTT release, the creators opted for a change in the distribution strategy. The film was initially featured in the OTT’s 2022 slate announcement, but was later removed from schedule. Plus, the absence again from the 2023 slate announcement raised a few questions about the fate of the release.

However, Universal Pictures has notified that the film now has a new home under their banner and will be enjoying a full theatrical release. Although, OTT release rights for the film was purchased back in 2021 for an estimated value of $30 million, the creators decided to shift to a theatrical run which indicates the confidence to deserve a wider audience.

Fast forward and Monkey Man is expected to hit theaters near you in April 2024 suggesting that the spectacle does need a theatrical setting for a more immersive experience.

More details about Monkey Man.

Directed by Dev Patel, the screenplay is a collaboration between Patel, Paul Angunawela, and John Collee. Patel is credited with the original story of the film. The production team behind the screen features a number of notable names including the likes of Christine Haebler, Anjay Nagpal, Ian Cooper, Jordan Peele, Jomon Thomas, Win Rosenfeld and more. Cinematography by Sharone Meir and music by Hauschka contribute to the Monkey Man’s overall visual and auditory appeal.

The project is a collaborative effort between Bron Studios, Thunder Road Films, Monkeypaw Productions, Minor Realm, S’Ya Concept, and Creative Wealth Media.

Monkey Man and Kalki 2898 AD is poised to make a huge entry into the action genre and with the trailer promising a riveting and visceral cinematic experience on the big screen, this narrative, inspired by mythology makes for an absolute watch. And bringing a stellar cast to bring the characters to life on the big screen, the film has all the ingredients to be a hit.