Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Dev Patel has been an interesting actor to watch as he always brings an earnestness to his performances that is hard to convey. Along with his breakout performance inSlumdog Millionaire,the actor received enormous praise and accolades for his dramatic range in films likeLion, Hotel Mumbai,The Green Knight, and in his recent directorial debut filmMonkey Man.
One of his most infamous films was 2010’sThe Last Airbenderwhich was a live-action adaptation of the beloved Nickelodeon animated seriesAvatar: The Last Airbender.The film was Patel’s first big-budget studio film but the actor struggled to find his footing on set and felt out of place within the studio system.
Studio Heads Were Not Happy With Dev Patel’s Performance OnThe Last Airbender
M. Night Shyamalandirected the live-action adaptation ofAvatar: The Last Airbenderin 2010. The film starred Noah Ringer, Dev Patel, Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone, Shaun Toub, Aasif Mandvi, and Cliff Curtis. Patel was fresh off the historic success ofSlumdog Millionaireand getting to do a big studio film seemed like the perfect next project for him.
“It’s been a huge undertaking”: Dev Patel Has a Disappointing Update for Monkey Man 2 But That’s Not for Enduring Hellish Ordeal of Broken Bones
Patel played firebender Prince Zuko who is exiled by his father Fire Lord Ozai. Patel was attracted to the project due to the big names that were involved, including director Shyamalan and producer Frank Marshall. However, the transition from a small-budget feature to a tentpole studio film felt alienating to him and he struggled to find his voice in the film.
“It’s like getting your dream scholarship”: Dev Patel Details How Jordan Peele Saved Monkey Man After He Nearly Gave Up on the Movie
In an interview withGamesRadar, theMonkey Manstar revealed that he started feeling miscast in his role and couldn’t relate to him (describing himself as adrift at sea). The actor showed no confidence while performing and the studio was worried about his underwhelming work in the film. Patel said,
You’ve got M. Night and Frank Marshall and all these big names. I’m a big martial arts fan, so I was like, ‘Oh, wow.’ I was probably miscast, and the film didn’t hit the mark. I could see that the studio was worried that I wasn’t really performing well. It was quite a torturous experience in that sense where you know you’ve maybe possibly been miscast in something, and you’re not right for it, and I didn’t have any confidence…
Ultimately the film turned out to be anabsolute dud, with fans of the animated series finding it extremely subpar.The Last Airbenderearned of the lowest ratings onRotten Tomatoes(5%) and is considered one of the worst films ever made. It also underperformed (grossing only $319 million against a $150 million budget viaBox Office Mojo) at the box office and all plans for a trilogy were canceled.
Dev Patel Avoided Studio Franchise Films After The Failure OfThe Last Airbender
Dev Patelhad one of his worst filming experiences in 2010’sThe Last Airbender.He has been vocal about how he does not fit into the studio system and has since not starred in any tentpole or franchise films. In an interview withThe New York Times, the actor revealed that his agents get frustrated when he turns down offers to star in big franchises.
“This is an anthem for the underdog”: Dev Patel’s Monkey Man is Already a Step Ahead of Keanu Reeves’ John Wick After Obvious Comparisons
TheSlumdog Millionairestar reasoned out by stating that he fears not being able to fit into that world just like what happened withThe Last Airbender. Patel admits that he is unable to flourish as an actor under all the green screens and VFX filmmaking. He said,
Maybe it’s a fear of how I would fit into that world. I didn’t really flourish in that position. I take my hat off to all those incredible actors that do Marvel movies where it’s, like, big, noisy fans and green screen and tennis balls and whatnot.
The actor also calledThe Last Airbenderone of the worst films he’s ever done and one he wants to forget. Patel has mostly starred in dramas and recently made his directorial debut with the fantastic action filmMonkey Man.
Fans can watchThe Last Airbenderon Prime Video.
Rahul Thokchom
Senior Writer
Articles Published :1276
Rahul Thokchom is a senior content writer at Fandomwire who is passionate about covering the world of pop culture and entertainment. He has a Masters Degree in English that contributes to the richness and creativity in his works.
More from Rahul Thokchom
“His team is non stop with trying to paint him as the goody two shoes”: Jennifer Lopez Gets Surprise Fan Support as Ben Affleck’s Controversial Past Surfaces Amid Divorce
“I don’t know what I’m looking for anymore”: Playing Homelander for So Long Has Made Antony Starr Make a Confession That’s Devastating News for DCU Fans Hoping He Plays an Iconic Justice League Villain
“We didn’t have a lot of money..”: Eric Bana’s Hulk Was a Big Threat to Will Smith’s $273 Million Movie Along With Keanu Reeves’s Highest Grossing The Matrix Movie
Recommended
‘Blue Beetle’ Turns Two: James Gunn’s DCU Has Forgotten Him But These 4 DC Shows Did Him Proud
Transformers Star Is Absolutely Right on Why He Rejected ‘The Penguin’
How Many Episodes Are Left in One Piece Egghead Arc? Explained
The Summer I Turned Pretty Theory Proves Jenny Han’s Name Game Ruins Season 3 Finale
Brad Pitt Hits Maximum Paranoia: Real Reason He Wants to Turn $12 Million Home Into a “Fortress” (Report)
How Did Mila Kunis Prepare for Black Swan? Harsh 12 Hours Routine Details
Dev PatelM. Night Shyamalam
