M. Night Shyamalan spent quite a few years making bad movies, after first emerging as one of the brightest young talents in the industry with his early efforts likeThe Sixth SenseandUnbreakable. Now, largely thanks to his movieSplit, which was a critical and financial success, not to mention a secret sequel of sorts toUnbreakablethat many had been wanting for quite some time, he’s back on track. He’s set to return to that world once more withGlassand according to one of the producers, it’s going to be a Shyamalan take on a superhero movie. But a very different kind.
Jason Blum, head of Blumhouse Productions, recently spoke with Collider to promoteThe Horrors of Blumhousemaze, which is going to be part of Universal’sHalloween Horror Nightsthis year. During the conversation, Blum was asked whether or not he would describe theSplit sequelas a superhero movie. Here’s what he had to say about it.
“Of course, it’s a kind of superhero movie, for sure. I do consider it that, yeah. It’s very different. I would say it’s not a Marvel movie, but a superhero movie.”
Unbreakablewas released in 2000 and that was ahead of the curve in terms of Hollywood’s current obsession with comic book movies. ButUnbreakablewasvery much a superhero movieof sorts, even though it didn’t come from the world of Marvel or DC. So givingM. Night Shyamalanthe chance to revisit the genre, in his own, different way, withGlass, is a very exciting prospect. Especially considering how unexpectedly goodSplitwas.
There’s also going to be a lot of interest, asSplitmade a very impressive $276.9 million at the box office, making it one of the most unexpected hits of 2017. That also makes it one of the most profitable, since the movie cost a mere $9 million to make. Though, we suspect Blumhouse may up the budget a bit forGlass.
Glasswill pick up following the conclusion ofSplitand finds David Dunn (Bruce Willis) pursuing Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), aka the superhuman figure known as The Beast, in a series of escalating encounters. Meanwhile, the shadowy presence of Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson), aka Mr. Glass, emerges as an orchestrator who holds secrets critical to both men.Glassis going tobring together all of the best elementsfrom bothUnbreakableandSplitfor what sounds like a great, if non-traditional, superhero showdown.
Anya Taylor-Joy also returns inGlassas Casey Cooke, withAmerican Horror Storystar Sarah Paulson recently signing up for the sequel as well. Production on the highly-anticipated sequel is set to begin this month, with aJanuary 18, 2019, release date set.Avengers 4be damned,Glasscould wind up being the best superhero movie of 2019.
