Dev Patel to Star in Tarsem Singh’s Tennis Crime Thriller ‘The Journeyman,’ AGC and CAA Selling at AFM

Dev Patel will star in “The Journeyman,” a crime thriller directed by Tarsem Singh from a script by husband-wife duo Bryan and Alexis Roberts (aka The Roberts). Patel plays a down-on-his-luck tennis pro who is drawn into the dark world of match-fixing to make ends meet for his family.

AGC Studios will fully finance and produce the film with Academy Award nominee Scott Franklin, Patel’s Minor Realm and LBI Entertainment.

Joining Franklin as producers are AGC Studios chairman and CEO Stuart Ford and Mason Eways for LBI Entertainment. Shamier Anderson and Stephan James will executive produce for Bay Mills.

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AGC Intl. represents the film’s international distribution rights and will introduce the film to buyers at the AFM next week; CAA Media Finance is handling domestic with AGC. Production is set to commence next year.

“The Journeyman” is the story of a struggling pro tennis player who is lured into an illegal match-fixing ring to support his family and finds himself trapped in a ruthless world of corruption and violence he may never escape.

Ford expressed his enthusiasm about the team, saying: “The Roberts have written a taught, suspenseful crime thriller full of twists and turns that feels like a perfect fit for a visionary filmmaker like Tarsem and a top tier producer of Scott’s caliber. Tarsem’s renowned visual flair and deep experience in working with top athletes will also see him depict a viscerally authentic version of the pro tennis circuit that goes beyond what’s been seen on the big screen before. I’ve wanted to work with Dev Patel for a long time meanwhile and this is a phenomenal role for him to get his teeth into.”

Adds Franklin, “Before I ever produced my first film, I saw ‘The Fall’ in 2006 and Tarsem instantly became one of my favorite filmmakers. His latest film, ‘Dear Jassi,’ is one of the best films I’ve seen in the last 20 years. After seeing Dev Patel’s ‘Monkey Man’ and his existing body of work, the thought of having a chance to watch these two come together and create magic on screen became a dream come true. Having the support of partners like Stuart Ford and AGC, LBI, and my original partners on the project, Shamier Anderson and Stephan James at Bay Mills, makes this a once in a lifetime opportunity I could have never imagined.”

Patel began his career in “Skins” (2007) before his breakthrough, BAFTA-nominated role in “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008). Patel’s performance in “Lion” (2016) earned him the BAFTA Award for best actor in a supporting role and an Academy Award nomination for supporting actor. He subsequently starred in “Hotel Mumbai” (2018), “The Personal History of David Copperfield” (2019) and “The Green Knight” (2021). He made his directorial debut with the action film “Monkey Man” this year, which he also starred in and produced.

Singh began his career directing commercials for major international brands including Smirnoff, Coke, Nike, Levis and Pepsi. In 2000, he directed his first feature film, “The Cell.” His next feature film, “The Fall,” was released in the U.S. in 2008. Since then, he has directed “Immortals” (2011) starring Henry Cavill, “Mirror Mirror” (2012) starring Julia Roberts and “Self/Less” (2015) starring Ryan Reynolds. In 2016-17 he directed a 10-part miniseries, “Emerald City.” In 2023, he directed his first feature film in Punjabi, “Dear Jassi,” which won the Platform Award at the Toronto Film Festival. Among the awards that he has received are the Grand Prix and several Lions from Cannes and the BAFTA Britannia Award.

The Roberts are a writing duo consisting of Bryan and Alexis Roberts, making waves with their high-energy, dark, gritty tone. Known for exploring life’s gray areas, they tell stories that confront the messy, complex realities of human nature.

Patel is represented by CAA, Curtis Brown, Sol22 and Jamie Feldman. Singh is represented by LBI Entertainment and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, Shikora & Clark. The Roberts are represented by LBI Entertainment and Cary Dobkin and Miles Metcoff at Yorn Levine. AGC EVP of legal and business affairs Anant Tamirisa is representing AGC Studios on the project.