Following on from his success in Slumdog Millionaire, Dev Patel has joined the cast of The Last Airbender, M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming project. Patel’s role was previously offered to singer Jesse McCartney, though his music commitments got in the way.

The live-action film is based on the popular Nickelodeon cartoon series, following 12-year old Aang, who is the last of a race of people who can manipulate the elements of air.

Patel will play Zuko, a member of the Fire Nation. Other stars include Nicola Peltz, Jessica Jade Andres and Jackson Rathbone.

The film is due out July 2010.