Dev Patel, best known - or only known, really - for his role in Slumdog Millionaire, has been cast as Zuko in the M. Night Shyamalan-directed live-action adaptation of The Last Airbender.

According to Variety, the actor will take on the role initially accepted by Jesse McCartney, who backed out to conflicts with his tour schedule.

Patel joins newcomer Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz (Deck the Halls) and Jackson Rathbone (Twilight) in the The Last Airbender.

Its production begins in mid-March, with a July 2010 release date scheduled.