In an exciting turn of events, Dev Patel is stepping back into the director’s chair with his second film, The Peasant, following the success of his directorial debut, Monkey Man. The stunning news is that A24 has officially secured worldwide distribution rights for the film in a deal estimated at around $30 million, igniting enthusiasm among fans and film lovers alike. Check out the latest details here!
This ambitious project was featured on the prestigious 2023 Black List, which showcases the most buzzworthy unproduced scripts in Hollywood. Penned by Patel in collaboration with Will Dunn—who is also known for crafting the script for the final episode of Ms. Marvel—The Peasant has already sparked intrigue. Its emergence from the Black List can likely be attributed to the triumphant reception of Monkey Man, which not only recouped its budget but also earned critical acclaim. The film is produced by Thunder Road Pictures, setting a strong foundation for its upcoming release.
As for the storyline, here’s a captivating glimpse: the Black List describes The Peasant as follows: “In the 14th Century, a lone shepherd rages against a company of mercenary knights after they ransack his peaceful peasant community, proving that he is more than he seems.” The film is said to draw upon elements reminiscent of epic tales like Braveheart, John Wick, and the rich lore of King Arthur. With Patel’s past success in high fantasy—most notably his role in David Lowery’s The Green Knight—there’s reason to believe he’ll bring a unique vision to this narrative as well.
Dev Patel has been riding a wave of impressive performances lately. Alongside his directing ambitions, he’s enchanted audiences in The Green Knight and flexed his comedic chops with Wes Anderson in The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar. He also recently starred in the gripping thriller Rabbit Trap, showcasing his versatility.
Given the remarkable way he tackled his directorial debut, anticipation is building for The Peasant. Patel was unyielding in his approach to Monkey Man and has made it clear that he intends to maintain that boldness for this new venture. In an insightful interview with Rolling Stone, he candidly stated, “There were certain punches I didn’t want to pull. Do you know what I mean? There were certain things in the film that I knew would be divisive. There were certain points I wanted to make about a country I love very, very much. There are parts of a culture that I love and that I wanted to share, and that criticizing other aspects of it might ruffle feathers. Without those elements … it wouldn’t be the movie I wanted to make. Lots of other stars could make that movie. I just couldn’t.”
As we eagerly await The Peasant, we can’t help but wonder: what do you hope to discover in this film? How do you envision Dev Patel’s directorial journey evolving from here?
