I had completely forgotten about this project.
Last year, A24 acquired Dev Patel’s action thriller “The Peasant.” Sources indicated the agreement was finalized for around $30M following strong competition from other studios.
Deadline is now reporting that Patel’s revenge-action thriller, which is A24’s first production to shoot in India, has officially wrapped production.
Set in the 1300s, the story follows a shepherd who launches a vengeance-driven assault on a band of mercenary knights who devastated his village, uncovering a hidden identity and a past far more complex than first appears.
Patel is serving as writer, director, and lead actor on his sophomore effort, which is being described as blending elements of “Braveheart” and “John Wick,” with a stylistic mix evocative of “King Arthur,” combining the world of medieval knights with the backdrop of feudal India.
The project initially gained attention after being featured on the 2023 Black List, which highlights the most well-regarded unproduced screenplays each year. Under Patel’s direction, the story underwent a significant transformation, shifting from its original Italian setting and papal ties to a reimagined version set in India.
Patel is coming off his messy and frenetic 2023 debut, “Monkey Man,” which he also co-wrote, directed, and headlined. That film appears to have impressed enough people for him to get another shot at directing.
And, of course, producers are reportedly hoping the film can serve as the foundation for a potential franchise.