WATCH: Which scary movie terrified ‘Chappie’ star Dev Patel?

MANILA, Philippines – You might have seen British actor Dev Patel in a number of roles – as determined, resourceful Neal onThe Newsroom, steadfast Jamal in Slumdog Millionaire, or as the freewheeling Anwar on Skins. But it might be a while before you see Dev in a scary movie. 

“The only genre I don’t think I’ve done is horror. I think I’ve done like, kind of a romantic film with Slumdog, I’ve got a comedy with Marigold, this is sci-fi, I feel horror is something I don’t know if I could do because I scare really quickly,” he told Rappler in an interview for the film Chappie, in which he co-stars with Hugh Jackman and Sigourney Weaver. (WATCH: In ‘Chappie,’ Hugh Jackman is an intense villain with a mullet) 

“I watched Paranormal Activity and I couldn’t sleep for like, a month, it was so scary. I was in a hot country and I had a fan above me, and every time my blanket would move, I’m just like, ‘My God, what the hell?’ I have a really like, runaway imagination so horror doesn’t suit me.”

In Chappie, Dev is Deon, a brave young engineer who “raises” the titular robot, programmed with artificial intelligence. He and Chappie are going up against forces firmly against what Chappie is, considering him a threat against mankind. (WATCH: Sigourney Weaver’s advice for newbies)

Dev was actually director Neill Blomkamp’s only choice for the role. “…Dev Patel, I had to have him as Deon in this film, and I think I just knew that he was kind of an enthusiastic young guy, and I knew what he would be able to do and what Sigourney would be able to do,” Neill told Rappler. 

A prominent regular in Neill’s films is Sharlto Copley, whom fans fondly remember as the hapless Wikus in 2009’sDistrict 9. Sharlto plays Chappie, acting opposite the actors wearing a suit with tracking markers. Later, he was replaced digitally with the final robot version. 

As Chappie’s creator, Deon is a parent figure to the robot played by Sharlto, who’s quite a few years older than him (Sharlto is 41, Dev 24).

“It’s so funny because you’ve got this grown man in a gray skintinght jumpsuit, and you know, he’s got this tiny little hat on, and his ears are sticking out, and he’s got this like, big beard. So in your head, you’re like, ‘Oh, I’m gonna have to treat this grown man like a baby,’ but as soon as Neill calls action, he just transforms into this really adorable little creature,” said Dev about the experience. 

As in many of his previous roles, Dev brings an earnest, open optimism to Deon in Chappie, Deon’s soft side evident even against his hard skills as a bona fide tech whiz – though in real life, he told The Guardian, he really isn’t into social media or gadgets at all.

From his big movie break in Slumdog, released when he was just 17, to his bigger roles now – fans will also see him in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – there’s a lot to expect from Dev, who’s taken all that pressure quite well, with his ear-to-ear grin and his goofy personality, not unlike many of those memorable characters he’s played in the past. – Rappler.com