Shyamalan Gets in the Water at Warners

Originally Published: March 24, 2005

After four movies with Disney, M. Night Shyamalan is packing some bags and going to Warner Bros. Pictures for his next film, Lady in the Water.

The film tells the story of a superintendent at an apartment building who finds a rare type of sea nymph swimming in the building’s pool. Sounds right up the filmmaker’s alley.

Apparently, Disney and Shyamalan had discussed the project, but mutually decided to part ways on the actual production of the film. “We have a terrific relationship with Night, and although we didn’t agree creatively on this particular project, we look forward to working with him in the future,” a Disney representative was quoted as saying.

Warner Bros. president Alan Horn had a slightly different take on the situation, saying “I hope that it is the first of many outstanding films that Night makes at our studio.”

Shyamalan added “Lady in the Water is a personal movie with a big idea, and it seems just perfect for Warner Bros. I’m thrilled they responded to the story, and we all can’t wait to get started.”

Like all of his previous efforts, including The Villiage, Signs, The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, Lady in the Water will shoot in the Phily, PA area. Casting is under way with the production scheduled to start in August for a July 21, 2006 release date.