Dev Patel Replaces Jesse McCartney in M Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender

Picture (left): M Night Shyamalan.

After winning accolades worldwide, Slumdog Millionaire's breakout star, Dev Patel has signed a film with M Night Shyamalan.

According to Variety magazine, Dev Patel star in Night's The Last Airbender. Patel joins the cast, which features Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone and Jessica Jade Andres. The film will go on floors next month, and will be shot in Greenland. Dev will have to attend a boot camp and train in martial arts.

How Dev grew

Shyamalan has been quoted in the magazine saying, "Dev was one of the guys I was interested in. Then I saw Slumdog Millionaire; the kid just grew in my eyes." Patel is playing a role originally held by popstar Jesse McCartney but Jesse's career as a "musician" interfered. Patel will play the role of Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation (see box).

Dev Patel

The film is based on the hit animated television series called Avatar — The Last Airbender. Shyamalan wanted the same title in toto for the film. James Cameron owned the rights to the name "Avatar", and threatened legal action if the title wasn't changed. And so it was changed.

The Last Airbender is slated to release July 2, 2010.

Airbender for dummies

When the hostile Fire Nation threatens to enslave the Water, Earth, and Air Nations, a reluctant and irresponsible boy must face his destiny as the Avatar, the Chosen One who can restore the world order. This new animated series centers on twelve-year-old Aang, who must forgo his selfish wandering to learn to master his latent powers over the four elements. Only then can he conquer the Firebenders, the evil magi who threaten the world.