MTV with another scoop on The Last Airbender, this time sitting down with Dev Patel, recently cast as the Fire Nation’s banished Prince Zuko.
“It’s based on a Nickelodeon cartoon,” explained Patel, who replaced Jesse McCartney earlier this week as the character of Zuko, the 16-year-old exiled prince of Fire Nation who is eager to regain his honor. “There’s this character called Avatar [played by Noah Ringer] who can harness all these powers in a slightly different world, and they have different nations like the Firebenders — who can form fire and use it to their abilities — and there are Waterbenders and Earthbenders,” Patel explained.
“[Aang the Avatar] is the Airbender — he can harness air and all the other ones as well,” he added. “He’s a special being, and I’m part of that.”
“I play a character called Zuko who is the Prince of the Fire Nation, and it’s good because it’s a dark role. I’m not playing the hero, whereas in ‘Slumdog’ it was real character acting and performance-oriented. This is [as well], but it’s much more physical, with martial arts. I’m learning on the job, so this is a great new experience for me.”
When asked about the Jesse McCartney situation…
“I didn’t,” Patel said enthusiastically when asked whether he had “kicked out” the “Leavin’ ” singer. “I came on very late, so I didn’t hear about the Jesse McCartney thing. In all honesty, I swear.”
Tags: Dev Patel, Jesse McCartney
April 16, 2009 at 6:43 am |
geez you would think m night shyalaman is trying to subtly claim ownership of this ‘avatar’ concept just cause avatar can be traced back to hinduism and the director is indian born. its like he’s saying ‘oh avatar eh? i want it! its mine! hey you! don’t step there! my movie! and he is claiming this through recruiting indian-looking characters. i know i must have said this 3 times on this website but its very peculiar. if anyones wondering, i’m asian, and i have no problem with the all white cast, i mean what would u rather have? a racially-just movie that sucks, or a kickass movie with the thought of ‘leaving it to the professionals’? not saying jesse mcartney/jacskon rathbone are good choices, or even professionals, im saying M NIGHT SHYALAMAN is not a professional.
PEOPLE ARE TOO POLITICALLY CORRECT THESE DAYS, or TRYING to be too politically correct, which is worse. there is a time and place for this people! films are neither.
May 23, 2009 at 12:09 pm |
i support bob!..im an asian too!..this cartoon series, adapting it to the real world with caucasian people and arab indian people, starts to sound “BOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD!” kinda of thing.. i wonder if shyamalan has ever asked konizietzko and di martino if the casting was alright..i wonder why they love ASIAN CULTURE so mmuuucchchhhh????!!!!
May 26, 2009 at 1:46 am |
A guy named ‘Avatar’? did they even see the freakin cartoon? It’s AAAAAAAANG
July 11, 2009 at 2:20 am |
@ loldong- he said a guy CALLED avatar. aang is referred to as the avatar in the show by everyone except people who know him personally