Dev Patel’s new Chippendales dancer movie: Sign us up!
Ladies, if you liked Magic Mike and don’t mind dark dramas then we have a movie for you. This project is admittedly still in its beginnings and doesn’t even appear to have a name yet, but we do have a general idea about the premise, who is set to direct it, and some casting news.
So, if you think a movie about male strippers, some true crime, and the Hollywood dream is something you’d be interested in watching, allow us to fill you in on everything you want (and need) to know about this upcoming Chippendales movie starring none other than the handsome Dev Patel.
Dev Patel’s role
This movie is going to be about the life and eventual death of Somen “Steve” Banerjee, who will be played by Dev Patel. Banerjee moved to the United States from India with not only the American Dream on his mind, but also the Hollywood dream – money and fame. Banerjee eventually got tired of owning a gas station and purchased a nightclub called Destiny II.
He renamed it Chippendales and created theme nights for the club. The themes ranged from women’s mud wrestling to a ladies only night with male strippers (the first of their kind in the U.S.). These dancers eventually became just as famous as Playboy bunnies & the club would focus on their dancers, putting an end to the other themed nights. These Chippendales dancers would also end up touring.
However it’s also believed Banerjee might have been at the center of two arson cases (two competitor clubs burned down), and he was certainly the focus of many lawsuits. Banerjee would also be suspected of killing his partner, but there was no proof. He was eventually arrested for hiring someone to kill three other people. Banerjee then hanged himself in his prison cell.
About the film
This dramatic story seems exactly like the kind of story Hollywood loves to make – done right it could even be the next Wolf of Wall Street. However, this particular project has been in pre-pre-production limbo for twenty years. Why the double “pre”? Well, a studio hasn’t even officially picked up this project yet.
However, it looks like good strides have been made in bringing David Permut’s pitch to audiences. Patel has confirmed that he will be playing Banerjee, and director Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya) is attached to the prospective movie as well. Those producing alongside Permut will be David & Michael Litvak, Svetlana Metkina, and Gary Michael Walters.
Ben Stiller was once attached to this project – he was expected to play Banerjee’s partner who eventually gets shot in the face, but he has since backed out. Honestly Stiller backing out isn’t all that surprising since this script has been in Hollywood purgatory for a painfully long time. These days Stiller is more focused on directing than he is acting. Luckily, for those interested in seeing this eventual movie, it’s now being said multiple studios are pursuing the project about NYC male strippers.
While you you wait
While you’re waiting for this dark, and probably at least a little sexy, 80s movie you can get to know Gillespie’s work a little better by watching Cruella. This live action Disney movie just recently finished production. With Disney’s recent announcement they’re going to be focusing on digital releases more, it will likely end up on Disney+ in the next year or so.
You can also catch Dev Patel in the upcoming movies The Green Knight, The Personal History of David Copperfield, and Flash Crash. All three were set to be released in 2020, however with theaters closed & a raging pandemic they’re all currently shelved & waiting for the right debut dates to appear. They will most certainly be released before this Chippendales movie & can satisfy your Patel cravings in the meantime.
