You might have already heard, the king of psychological twists, M. Night Shyamalan, and the sultan of sentimental tearjerkers, Nicholas Sparks, have joined forces for a novel (and film). As I exclusively reported in February, it's called “Remain,” and the book is scheduled to drop this fall (via People).
Now, because just writing a novel apparently wasn’t ambitious enough, Sparks is penning the book while Shyamalan is simultaneously whipping up a screenplay. The film adaptation is already brewing behind the scenes—because you know Hollywood can’t resist a potential Nicholas Sparks box office payday. Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor are already on board to brood and weep their way through the lead roles.
The story centers on Tate Donovan, a New York architect trying to rebuild his life after a stint in a psychiatric facility, thanks to a spiral triggered by his sister’s death. Looking for a fresh start (and maybe a distraction), he lands in Cape Cod to design a summer home for his bestie. But, of course, things aren’t going to stay neatly drafted. Enter Wren: a mysterious young woman who has Tate questioning everything about his carefully measured, logic-driven existence.
Sounds like a Hitchcock romance.
Sparks is positively glowing about the partnership, calling his work with Shyamalan a career highlight. In case you’ve lost track, “Remain” marks Sparks’ 26th book.
On the other side of the aisle, Shyamalan’s resume is stacked with hits like “The Sixth Sense,” and “Signs,” plus last summer’s “Trap.” The movie version of “Remain” is rumored to start production in August. Shyamalan will be working with a new DP on this one as Adolpho Veloso, who shot the acclaimed “Train Dreams,” which premiered in January at Sundance, is billed as the cinematographer.
Shyamalan is more than just a filmmaker—he’s a brand. Simply seeing his name on a trailer is often enough to draw a solid audience. Born in India and raised in Philadelphia, he’s spent nearly 25 years crafting stories that echo the eerie twists of The Twilight Zone and the suspenseful flair of Hitchcock.