Dev Patel to write, direct, and star in period revenge thriller ‘The Peasant’

Dev Patel attends a premiere for the film ‘Monkey Man’
| Photo Credit: REUTERS

Dev Patel is expanding his filmmaking journey with The Peasant, a high-stakes period action thriller set in medieval India. Patel will direct, co-write, produce, and star in the film, reuniting with Thunder Road Pictures, the company behind his breakout directorial debut Monkey Man.

Backed by Fifth Season and Thunder Road, The Peasant has been described as having the spirit of Braveheart and the kinetic energy of John Wick. The story follows a shepherd who unleashes a furious campaign against a group of mercenary knights who ravaged his village, revealing himself to be far more than an ordinary man.

Originally developed by Fifth Season with screenwriter Will Dunn, The Peasant was first envisioned with an Italian backdrop as a papal thriller. Under Patel’s leadership, the setting has been reimagined into an almost mystical 1300s India. Patel and Dunn are working together on the new drafts.

The project initially landed on the 2023 Black List, highlighting it as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after unproduced scripts. Producers are already eyeing the potential for The Peasant to launch a new action franchise.

Patel’s move into this territory follows the success of Monkey Man, his revenge thriller that earned widespread acclaim upon its 2024 release.