M. Night Shyamalan is already hard at work on his next film after the success of the Josh Hartnett-led Trap from last year, which grossed over $82 million at the box office last year. Next, Shyamalan will switch gears toward the romance genre with assistance from best-selling author Nicholas Sparks, yes that Nicholas Sparks, who wrote The Notebook and countless other romance tales.
According to a Deadline exclusive, Shyamalan and Sparks are co-writing a screenplay and a novel together about the same original story featuring the same characters and concept. It is being described as a "supernatural romantic thriller." Little else is known about the actual plot details but the outlet also shares that Jake Gyllenhaal will star in the film.
While Shyamalan is no stranger to supernatural thrillers, he hasn't dabbled much in the romance genre, and Sparks isn't known for writing thrillers, so it is an interesting collaboration, to say the least. Still, Sparks is an immensely popular author, having sold over 130 million copies of his books worldwide and in over 50 languages.
As for Gyllenhaal's involvement, the romantic thriller aspect makes the film a melding of his earlier career and present one. In recent years, he's pivoted away from dramas into more genre-heavy and action-oriented fare. In 2024, the actor starred in the Prime Video remake of Road House, which performed well for the streamer, and in the Apple TV+ legal thriller series Presumed Innocent. He has several projects in the works right now, including a Road House sequel and a part in his sister Maggie Gyllenhaal's Frankenstein film The Bride!.
Shyamalan has written and directed over 15 movies in his career. His daughters, Saleka and Ishana have also been involved in his projects, with Saleka starring as Lady Raven in Trap. Ishana made her directorial debut with last year's The Watchers starring Dakota Fanning. She also wrote and directed episodes of her dad's Apple TV+ series Servant.
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