'Labor of Love' - M. Night Shyamalan and Bruce Willis Reunite

[Walts Ghost]

M. Night Shyamalan and Bruce Willis Reunite for ‘Labor of Love’

M. Night Shyamalan broke out big with The Sixth Sense, which starred Bruce Willis, and the two worked together on the follow-up Unbreakable. Now they’re back together once more for a film called Labor of Love.

It’s actually an old project in many ways, as the original script is one that Shyamalan wrote decades ago and sold to Fox in 1993. (The script is pretty readily available online.) He wanted to direct the film then, but with only the low-budget indie Praying With Anger to his name, Fox reportedly wasn’t interested in buying his directorial services.

Now the film is back in action, and will have Willis in the role of ”a Philadelphia book store owner who loses the love of his life in a tragic accident.” The main character is haunted by the notion that he never properly expressed his love to his wife, and so he decides to act on a question she once asked: would you walk across the country for me? He makes that trek, from Philly to California.

Deadline says the current plan is for shooting to begin in September in Philadelphia. Will this story reverse the downward slide of fortune the director has endured (or built for himself) over the past few years?

Source

[JavaJulien]

I'm mildly interested. As much as Shyamalan has turned into a walking punchline, it actually sounds like a nice change of pace.

[jwerk]

I'm ready to give Night another chance. Especially if Bruce is involved (although I would rather have the pre-2010's prima donna Bruce).

For you folks that have read, or will read the script, please use Spoiler Tags.

[DreamVillain]

So a director and actor who once were great and have now lost their way for years now directing some of the worst films ever made and not caring for acting in films anymore respectively are going to come back together after 14 years and you expect us to be interested...

Well who knows maybe it ends up being good

[stvn1974]

I don't hate myself enough to ever watch this. Shyamalan made two classic films and then a bunch of turds. Other than Red and Red 2 Bruce Willis has made even bigger turds in the last 10-15 years.

[animefan77]

Sixth Sense and Unbreakable are great movies and even the Signs and the Village was really good before the end. And I blame After Earth to Will Smith more than Shyamaian. (There is just no excuse to Last Airbender though ) So I will definitely give this movie a chance.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

I don't hate myself enough to ever watch this. Shyamalan made two classic films and then a bunch of turds. Other than Red and Red 2 Bruce Willis has made even bigger turds in the last 10-15 years.

'Moonrise Kingdom', 'Looper', and 'Sin City' are hardly turds in my books.

I think he's just lazy, and when he picks good projects, he's great. Otherwise, he sleepwalks through his roles.

[Abdrewes]

There's only one M. Night film I outright dislike, so I am very excited to see this

[esteban²]

Shyamalan made 4 fantastic, 1 great and 2 "OK" movies. Haven't seen "After Earth" yet, but still planning to see it as soon as possible. And this project has my full attention.

[cinemaphile]

Walk, Willis, Walk!

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by esteban²

Shyamalan made 4 fantastic, 1 great and 2 "OK" movies. Haven't seen "After Earth" yet, but still planning to see it as soon as possible. And this project has my full attention.

After Earth is my second least favorite movie of last year. The worst was A Good Day to Die Hard. Uh-Oh.

[AmrlKJaneway]

Excellent!

I'm a big Shyamalan fan. Bring it on!

[SidneyFalco]

It's a great script full of character and heart. He's just telling a story here, not trying to pander to audience expectation of a plot twist or any other formality. It's like The Straight Story, but without the tractor.

Night is underrated and unfairly criticized, in my opinion. Most directors have misses now and then, but he didn't really lay stinkers until The Last Airbender and After Earth (both studio projects, by the way, and out of his control). Some of his other films had moments and ideas that were half-baked, but at least he was taking risks. Everyone complains that Hollywood is all re-boots and remakes, but when he tries something a little different like The Happening or Lady in the Water, he gets crucified by these same people. It's funny.

[bowlingbilly10]

Originally Posted by demonknight

After Earth is my second least favorite movie of last year. The worst was A Good Day to Die Hard. Uh-Oh.

I like a good day to die hard.

[Elandyll]

Originally Posted by DreamVillain

So a director and actor who once were great and have now lost their way for years now directing some of the worst films ever made ...

I think you need to see more movies.

Not that The Happening, Last Airbender and After Earth were great films, but they are nowhere near "some of the worst films ever made".
As per Willis cashing in, it has always been a risk with him if the project did not really interest him or the Director was not "handling" him well enough.

It basically took Terry Gilliam back in the days to show me that Willis had some decent acting shops tbh.

Personally, I look forward to this reunion as I still enjoy 6th Sense and Unbreakable tremendously to this day.

[EricJ]

I tend to think ALL MNS films are "labors of love", although for who, is the obvious question.

Originally Posted by Elandyll

Personally, I look forward to this reunion as I still enjoy 6th Sense and Unbreakable tremendously to this day.

Let's be honest, the only good films Night ever made had Bruce Willis in them. (Not to mention, they're some of the only good Bruce Willis roles he didn't grumpily sleepwalk through in the last fifteen years.) You can't be, quote-fingers, "the next Hitchcock" without your Jimmy Stewart.
He wants this to be his "character" piece, but we'll get the twist ending spoiled soon enough.

[King Troll]

Originally Posted by bowlingbilly10

I like a good day to die hard.

Well this is coming from you of all people

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by bowlingbilly10

I like a good day to die hard.

The only people I have met who like that film tend to require constant surveillance because they're likely to drink bleach or swallow their own tounges.

[Josh B]

Originally Posted by animefan77

Sixth Sense and Unbreakable are great movies and even the Signs and the Village was really good before the end. And I blame After Earth to Will Smith more than Shyamaian. (There is just no excuse to Last Airbender though ) So I will definitely give this movie a chance.

Well said, I like Shyamalan too.

[SilentDawn]

I'm intrigued. The only Shyamalan film that I consider to be an absolute failure is The Last Airbender; so it's safe to say that I am excited. Sure, he has made some missteps; but he doesn't deserve the hate that has been following him for years.