Dev Patel is taking on double duty in his next project, as he’s set to direct and star in the upcoming period revenge action thriller The Peasant. The film, backed by Fifth Season and Thunder Road Pictures, marks Patel’s second directorial effort following his acclaimed debut Monkey Man.
Originally written by Ms. Marvel scribe Will Dunn, the screenplay gained attention after landing on the 2023 Black List, a prestigious roundup of Hollywood’s best unproduced scripts. Under Patel’s vision, the story has been reimagined and relocated from its original Italian setting to 14th-century feudal India, swapping Vatican intrigue for a more mystical, culturally rich backdrop.
The Peasant follows a quiet shepherd whose village is destroyed by mercenary knights. Driven by vengeance, he embarks on a brutal campaign that reveals he is far more than an ordinary farmer. The film is described as a genre fusion of Braveheart, John Wick, and King Arthur, blending historical drama with high-intensity action.
Patel’s own production company, Minor Realm, is producing alongside Fifth Season and Thunder Road, known for hits like John Wick and Sicario.
While casting details and a release timeline are still under wraps, The Peasant is being positioned as a potential franchise launchpad and a bold step in Patel’s evolution as a filmmaker, bridging Western cinematic styles with Eastern narratives.
