Shyamalan Hints at 'Unbreakable' Sequel in Weird Interview
Filed under: RumorMonger, Celebrities and Controversy, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels
Man is M. Night Shyamalan ever a strange dude -- and this is coming from probably one of the biggest fans he has left.In this interview with Sci-Fi Wire, the filmmaker announces that he is still contemplating making a sequel to Unbreakable, his 2000 comic book genre-bender. He doesn't quite have the story, but says that "I know me: As soon as I give up on it is when the idea will come to me." Fantastic! Seeing as Unbreakable is one of my favorite movies of the decade, I'm obviously excited about any prospect of Shyamalan returning to that universe. And maybe it's just the ticket to restore his suddenly-struggling career.
But then I read the rest of the article, and... uh... he needs to hire a (better) publicist. Discussing how he felt after Unbreakable's mixed reception, he says that he was heartbroken, lamenting: "God, I took so many incredible risks." And then, as he describes his (quite correct) realization that the film actually has a good number of admirers, he relates this anecdote: "I'll be on the street, and some kid will run across traffic with it in his backpack--he just is carrying it in his backpack--and he'll be running [saying], 'I can't believe it's you!' Will you sign my Unbreakable DVD?' And quoting the thing and all that stuff."
Okay. So both times, I get what he's trying to convey. He did, I think, make a tremendously ambitious movie with Unbreakable, and got punished for it. And I'm sure he was gratified to learn that there are fans of the film out there. I even believe his anecdote about the kid with the DVD in his backpack. But who says things like "I took so many incredible risks"? Incredible risks? And who would tell that story without a hint of irony of self-effacement? It's not Shyamalan's pompousness that strikes me, it's the tone-deafness. Does he not know how these quotes make him appear?
Anyway: Unbreakable sequel. Yes please.
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(Page 1)2. He should have done 'Unbreakable 2' straight after 'Signs', which is last time I watched Mel Gibson objectively. Anyway... WHAT HAPPENED TO RICK MORANIS??
Posted at 11:48AM on Oct 8th 2008 by Marty J
3. Rick's wife died in 1991 and since he was a single parent he took time off to raise his kids (quite respectible in my book) and then said he found he didn't miss it.
He had a Grammy nominated comedy albulm in 2006.
Posted at 2:12PM on Oct 8th 2008 by Tidmore
4. As always, M. Night Shyamalan's biggest fan is M. Night Shyamalan.
Posted at 1:26PM on Oct 8th 2008 by Eric D. Snider
5. This is the 1st bit of exciting news to come out from Night in a long time. As much as I liked The Sixth Sense, I thought Unbreakable was a better film because --as he said-- it was a much more ambitious film.
AND the deleted scenes on the DVD should have been in the movie! They weren't throwaways. They were all great (especially the flashback carnival scene & the priest telling Willis he isn't anything special)!
After the disappointing Signs (despite Gibson's great performance), I've avoided Night's films, but a sequel to Unbreakable would have me rushing back.
Posted at 9:01PM on Oct 8th 2008 by Jerald Brewer
6. I re-watch Unbreakable every so often to remind myself of Bruce Willis' talent, and to savor a "thinking man's" movie that may not have a lot of action, but continually throws things at the viewer that keeps the intensity high.
I would love to see a sequel of this, even if Willis is only a supporting character and we see the rise of a new 'hero'. Assuming that "Watchmen" is a resounding success, then another movie about flawed superheros caught in emotional and philosophical dilemnas instead of villian's death rays.
Posted at 5:47AM on Oct 17th 2008 by terry flores
7. Not sure a sequel would work, I enjoy the story as is, I dont need to see the further adventures of the watchman. However, I do think the movie missed its potential audience first time around. It deserves to be seen by more. Have to say, when Shyamalan shows up in his movies, it kinda ruins it for me, it never fits!
Posted at 4:03AM on Nov 22nd 2008 by Dingle
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1. And this is why we keep going to see his films, because he made a couple that are actually great. I mean GREAT. For that. We keep hoping you've got more for us, and we'll keep paying for your shit. And it is shit.
Posted at 10:08AM on Oct 8th 2008 by The Pepto Pimp