Move over Jackie Chan, there’s a new action hero in town – and filming his debut movie nearly turned Dev Patel into an action figure…in pieces! The beloved star of “Slumdog Millionaire” and “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” just went through a wild ride directing his first film, “Monkey Man,” and let’s just say it wasn’t all glamorous red carpets. Get ready for a story of broken bones, bathroom floor infections, and an unwavering passion for filmmaking!
We all know Patel can act, but apparently, he can take a hit too. While filming, he somehow managed to collect injuries like Pokemon cards. First, his hand met a rather unfortunate end thanks to a stunt gone wrong (we’re blaming the overzealous stuntman who stomped a little too hard). As if that wasn’t enough, Patel also broke his toes two weeks before filming even started – talk about starting on the wrong foot! And things didn’t get better.
A fight scene left him with a torn shoulder, and then there was the eye infection – a souvenir from a particularly grimy bathroom floor crawl. But here’s the thing: Patel never stopped filming! He powered through the pain, even changing fight choreography to work around his injuries. Talk about dedication!
Filming “Monkey Man” wasn’t just physically demanding but also emotionally tough. The COVID-19 pandemic threw its own curveballs, and the production tragically lost its gaffer to a heart attack.
But through it all, Patel persevered, and the result is “Monkey Man,” an action-packed thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. Patel takes on the role of “Kid,” an underground Mumbai fighter fueled by a burning desire for revenge against the city’s corrupt elite. The film draws inspiration from the legendary Hindu monkey god Hanuman and has even been compared to the crowd-pleasing “John Wick” franchise.
The wait is almost over! “Monkey Man” premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival and brought the house down with a thunderous standing ovation. Critics are raving about Patel’s directing skills and his powerful performance. And guess what? As of now, the film holds a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes!
So, mark your calendars – “Monkey Man” hits theaters on April 5th, 2024. Get ready for an action-packed ride you won’t forget – and remember, this is a movie Patel literally bled (and crawled on dirty floors) for!
