A24 has secured worldwide rights to Dev Patel’s next action-thriller, The Peasant, in a high-profile deal finalized just before the 2025 Cannes market kicks off.
The pact, reportedly in the $30 million range, comes after a competitive bidding situation. With few buzzy action titles in this year’s market, The Peasant stood out for its unique blend of revenge drama and period epic, drawing early comparisons to Braveheart, John Wick, and King Arthur.
Set in 14th-century feudal India, the film follows a humble shepherd who wages a violent war of vengeance against mercenary knights that destroyed his village — only to reveal a mysterious past that makes him far more formidable than he first appears.
Patel will direct, co-write, produce, and star in the project. He’s collaborating once again with Thunder Road Pictures, the production company behind his feature debut Monkey Man. The original screenplay was penned on spec by Will Dunn (Ms. Marvel), with Patel and Dunn teaming for the final rewrite.
A24 previously worked with Patel on the acclaimed 2021 fantasy The Green Knight, and hopes are high that The Peasant could launch a new action franchise for the Oscar-nominated actor and filmmaker.
Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and Chris Morrison will produce alongside Patel’s Minor Realm banner and Fifth Season. Executive producers include Graham Taylor, Chris Rice, Christopher Slager, Dan Guando, and Will Dunn.
Filming is expected to begin later this year.
