Jordan Peele Took a Leap of Faith for Dev Patel’s Monkey Man That Might Replace Keanu Reeves’ John Wick as The Next Best Thing
Acclaimed filmmaker Jordan Peele has taken a major leap of faith in acquiring the rights to Dev Patel’s upcoming action flick, Monkey Man, believing the original Netflix acquisition failed to realize its full blockbuster potential. Now slated for a theatrical release through Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and Universal Pictures, the stylish crime thriller has drawn comparisons to Lionsgate’s John Wick franchise.
Originally set up at Netflix for a $30 million streaming rights deal, Monkey Man reportedly captured Peele’s imagination enough to shift gears and lobby for a wide theatrical rollout instead.
Does Jordan Peele See Monkey Man Becoming a Theatrical Hit?
This pivot exemplifies Peele’s reputation for spotting unique projects with breakout potential, from partnering with Nia DaCosta on the Candyman reboot to backing the Sundance sensation Nanny last year. In poaching Monkey Man from Netflix, Jordan Peele displayed his confidence in the film’s ability to thrive on the big screen.
As per Screen Rant, Peele felt Dev Patel’s directorial debut “deserved a theatrical release” after getting an early look himself. With intense action centered on Patel’s quest for revenge through the Mumbai underworld, Monkey Man evidently evoked memories of Lionsgate’s beloved assassin franchise.
Peele likely envisions Monkey Man emerging as a gritty, grounded successor to Keanu Reeves’ iconic John Wick series. While that tetralogy indulges in snazzy style and fictional mythmaking, Patel’s project appears squarely focused on emotive, bare-knuckle action sequences. Trading John Wick’s clandestine society of assassins for the back alleys of India sets Monkey Man up as a fresh Streaming-To-Theatrical Shift for Peele & Universal.
Can Monkey Man Thrive Theatrically for Jordan Peele’s Universal Deal?
Historically, major studios offloading projects to streaming was common during peak COVID-19. However, Peele and Universal bucking that trend to buy Monkey Man’s theatrical rights shows their belief in its box office mettle. With John Wick: Chapter 4 ruling the early 2023 box office, an action void may open soon for Monkey Man to infiltrate as a gritty, hand-to-hand combat alternative.
Yet Monkey Man likely requires a $100 million global gross to recoup Peele and Universal’s investment from Netflix’s $30 million asking price. With competition from sequels, Dev Patel’s film could potentially get lost in the shuffle initially. But as those tentpoles wane post-debut, Monkey Man may surge as an intriguing action entry flooded with emotional resonance and stunning set pieces. If Peele’s bet pays dividends, his India-set revenge thriller could blossom into another surprise franchise.
Bringing Monkey Man to Life as a Gritty Action Vision
In addition to spotting Monkey Man’s blockbuster potential, Jordan Peele was likely drawn to the unique creative force behind the camera. Marking lead star Dev Patel’s feature directorial debut, the film represents a clear passion project for the Oscar nominee. Patel directs from an original story conceived with collaborators Paul Angunawela and John Collee.
Details on Monkey Man’s plot remain scarce for now, though the film seems centered on an ex-convict struggling to adapt after his release from prison. With the setting specified as corporate India, themes of eroding spirituality and greed seem destined to factor heavily. The ensemble cast features an array of acclaimed Indian talents, including Sobhita Dhulipala, Sikandar Kher, and Vipin Sharma.
With Dev Patel channeling his own cultural background for his directorial debut, the film promises to deliver emotional resonance beyond standard action fare. Monkey Man hits theaters on April 5, 2024, via Universal Pictures, bringing Jordan Peele’s poached potential franchise into the spotlight.
