Dev Patel's directorial debut, Monkey Man, surprises action fans with its engaging storyline and opulent style, featuring a skinny, downtrodden nonentity who fights in an underground boxing den to seek vengeance against a corrupt chief of police. The film references the John Wick series and incorporates Hindu mythology to critique the current political climate in India. Despite potential controversy, Monkey Man offers a fast-paced, left-wing political commentary that stands out in the Indian cinema landscape.
Dev Patel's latest film, Monkey Man, has been praised for its inclusion of India's "third gender," the hijra, a community of gender non-conforming people and trans women that has existed for over 2,000 years. Hijras are born with male genitalia or are intersex and may undergo surgery as part of a ceremony celebrating a Hindu mother goddess. Despite facing discrimination and violence, hijras play important roles in ceremonies and were recognized as a minority community by the Supreme Court of India in 2014. Monkey Man, which features hijra characters, is seen as an anthem for the marginalized and aims to shed light on the underrepresented hijra community in India and beyond.
Dev Patel's action film "Monkey Man" collected $10.1 million in its opening weekend, breaking even in just 3 days after its release in 3,029 North American theaters. The film, inspired by the legend of Hanuman, centers on a character seeking revenge in a politically charged action extravaganza. Meanwhile, "Godzilla vs Kong" retained the top spot at the box office for the second week, bringing in $31.7 million, while "The First Omen" struggled to make a big impact and landed in fourth place.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire continues to dominate the box office for the second week, grossing $31 million domestically and $361 million globally, while Dev Patel's directorial debut, Monkey Man, lands in second place with $10.1 million domestically and $12.7 million globally. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire adds $9 million domestically, The First Omen debuts with $8 million domestically, and Kung Fu Panda 4 rounds out the top five with $7.8 million domestically.
Dev Patel, who wrote, directed, produced, and starred in Monkey Man, shared an emotional encounter with an audience member at the film's premiere, where the man expressed jealousy that his son would have someone like Dev representing him in a film, something he never had. The film, which also stars Sobhita Dhulipala, Sikander Kher, Makarand Deshpande, Pitobash, and Vipin Sharma, follows a story of suppressed rage and retribution. Dev Patel revealed the challenging shoot for the film, which was released in theaters on April 5.
Actress Sobhita Dhulipala discusses her character Sita, a call girl catering to powerful yet reprehensible individuals in Dev Patel's 'Monkey Man', emphasizing the intricacy of such roles and expressing her honor in handling characters of such depth. She also highlights the unique relationship with Dev Patel on his maiden directorial project and the purity and passion involved in collaborating with a first-time filmmaker. 'Monkey Man' is a retribution story inspired by the mythological figure Hanuman and also stars Sharlto Copely, Sikandar Kher, Vipin Sharma, Ashwini Kalsekar, Adithi Kalkunte, and Makarand Deshpande in pivotal roles.
Dev Patel's directorial debut "Monkey Man," produced by Jordan Peele, is expected to have a $10 million opening at the box office, surpassing its $10 million budget. Originally at risk of being shelved by Netflix, the thriller received a theatrical release under Peele's Universal Pictures deal and is currently in second place at the box office, showing strong potential for success.
Dev Patel's feature directorial debut "Monkey Man" and "The First Omen" are both performing lower than expected at the domestic box office, with "Godzilla x Kong" retaining the No. 1 spot. "Monkey Man" grossed $4.1 million on Friday for a projected debut of $10.5 million, while "The First Omen" grossed $3.2 million for a projected weekend opening of $8.3 million. Despite the lower-than-expected performance, "Monkey Man" received a positive response at South-by-Southwest, while "The First Omen" is opening in key overseas markets.
Dev Patel, star and director of the action thriller Monkey Man, emphasized the importance of including the third gender community in the film, describing it as an "anthem for the underdogs, the voiceless and the marginalized." Patel expressed his desire to represent the Hijra community in India as a form of solidarity and highlighted the need to fight for each other. The film, which opened in the US on April 5, features a protagonist who joins a group of trans and gender-non-conforming characters to combat the elite oppressing them.
Dev Patel's directorial debut, Monkey Man, outperformed The First Omen in Thursday night previews, earning $1.4 million compared to $725,000. Monkey Man, distributed by Universal at the behest of Jordan Peele, is expected to compete for second place at the box office with The First Omen, while Godzilla vs Kong is anticipated to maintain its lead. Monkey Man, a revenge-thriller set in India, has garnered critical acclaim and buzz, while The First Omen aims to attract younger female moviegoers.
Dev Patel's feature directorial debut, Monkey Man, was originally set to stream on Netflix but was rescued by Jordan Peele, who secured a theatrical release for the film. Patel praised Peele for recognizing the film's potential and for breaking out of his own comedic background to become a smart genre filmmaker. Despite facing numerous challenges during production, including personal injuries and the loss of a crew member, Patel's perseverance paid off as Universal acquired Monkey Man for under $10 million, with the movie expected to open around $12 million at the domestic box office.
Dev Patel and Tilda Cobham-Hervey made their red carpet debut as a couple at the Los Angeles premiere of Patel's directorial debut, Monkey Man, after being together for seven years. The couple, who first met on the set of Hotel Mumbai in 2016, have kept a low profile and rarely made public appearances together. Patel's film has received positive reviews, with its release scheduled for April 5.
Dev Patel discusses the physical toll of directing and starring in "Monkey Man," revealing a slew of injuries sustained during filming, including a broken hand, toe fractures, and eye infections. The film also features trans and gender-nonconforming characters, with Patel emphasizing the importance of representing marginalized communities. While the cast expresses interest in a sequel, Patel remains focused on the current project, calling it a "dream come true."
Dev Patel reflects on his 10-year journey to make 'Monkey Man', a blood-spattered revenge thriller that marks his directorial debut and showcases his transformation into an action hero. The film, inspired by Indian mythology and action genre, faced numerous challenges during production, including delays and Patel's injuries from brutal fight scenes. Jordan Peele's production company stepped in to rescue the film, securing a theatrical release through Universal Pictures. Patel hopes the ambitious action-thriller will blend bone-crunching action with thoughtful mythology, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Dev Patel stars in "Monkey Man," a wild and ultraviolent Mumbai revenge flick that doubles as a satire of nationalism. Patel's character seeks vengeance against a corrupt property developer and police chief, using his martial arts skills and underground fighting to bide his time. The film is described as a mix of John Wick, Only God Forgives, and The Lion King, showcasing Patel's evolution as an actor into a kickass action star in this impressive writing-directing debut.
