Dev Patel Stars & Directs in First Trailer for Jordan Peele-produced 'Monkey Man'

by Darian Scalamoni

    Monkey Man, Dev Patel's directorial debut was scooped up over a year ago from Netflix for $30 million as many awaited news on its release. However, due to issues on releasing it to its international audiences, Monkey Man now finds itself getting a theatrical release after drawing attention from Monkey Paw Productions' own Jordan Peele. 

    The first trailer was released last week for the film that not only has Patel behind the camera but also in front of it, as he stars as an anonymous young man who unwieldly seeks out vengeance against the people who murdered his mother. The trailer is very reminiscent of the John Wick franchise and could fill a void in the marketplace. Additionally, if Peele had interest in acquiring the project following his viewing of it, it must have appeal to wide audiences. Attaching Peele's name to a debut project could bode well for Patel, as his own directed movies have become event viewing. Since Get Out in 2017, Peele's films have grossed a total of over $683 million at the box-office whilst production budgets being on the lower scale.

    Patel co-wrote the screenplay for Monkey Man with Paul Angunawela and John Collee (Master and Commander, Boy Swallows Universe). He shot the film back in 2021, so it has been a long time coming for Monkey Man and it is being rewarded with a wide release for audiences.

    Check out the first trailer below for Monkey Man! It hits theaters on April 5.