UPDATE A24 has acquired Dev Patel’s action-thriller “The Peasant.”Sources indicate the agreement was finalized last night for around $30M following strong competition from other studios.
EARLIER: Dev Patel is again the taking on the role of writer, director, and lead actor in his sophomore effort, “The Peasant,” an unconventional period action thriller produced by Fifth Season and Thunder Road Pictures.
Patel, the director, is coming off his messy and frenetic 2023 debut “Monkey Man,” which he also co-wrote, directed, and headlined. That one seems to have impressed enough people for Patel to be getting another shot at directing.
Described as a high-octane revenge tale, “The Peasant” is described as blending elements reminiscent of “Braveheart” and “John Wick,” with a stylistic mix that evokes “King Arthur,” combining the world of medieval knights with the backdrop of feudal India.
Sounds like a hot mess.
Set in the 1300s, the story follows a shepherd who launches a vengeance-driven assault on a band of mercenary knights that devastated his village—uncovering a hidden identity and a past far more complex than first appears.
The project initially gained attention and was featured on the 2023 Black List, which highlights the most well-regarded unproduced screenplays each year. Under Patel’s direction, the story has now undergone a significant transformation—shifting from its original Italian setting and papal ties to a reimagined version of India.
The producers are aiming for the film to serve as the foundation for a potential franchise.