Indian American filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan has inked a new multi-year, first-look deal with Warner Bros. Pictures, with the Oscar-nominated filmmaker switching his allegiance from Universal. He will be directing and producing films for the studio.

 According to entertainment website Deadline, the pact comes after Warner Bros. Pictures Group co-chairs and CEOs Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy signed a first-look deal with director Akiva Goldsman and two-time Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann. 

Foundation Of The Multi-Year Deal

News of the agreement comes as the director celebrates his latest release ‘Knock at the Cabin’, which marks his seventh No. 1 opening at the box office. He has a No. 1 film in each of the last four decades, further contributing to his more than $3 billion haul at the global box office, beginning with his breakout hit, ‘The Sixth Sense’, reports Variety. 

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome him to the Warner Bros. family, and look forward to an exciting collaboration with Night and the entire Blinding Edge team,” De Luca and Abdy said in a joint statement.  Under the deal, Shyamalan and his Philadelphia-based production company Blinding Edge Pictures will develop original projects for the filmmaker to produce and/or direct for WBPG production divisions Warner Bros Pictures and New Line Cinema. 

M. Night Shyamalan’s Upcoming Project And Plans

“Where I write and direct is my home. Disney and Universal, where I’ve made most of my films, will always be home and family to me. Warner Bros. has a storied history of cinema. Through its recent experiences, the company has rediscovered its love and appreciation for filmmakers and the impact of the theatrical experience.” Shyamalan said in a statement.

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Continuing the statement “We all win when movies succeed in theatres. I believe David Zaslav, Michael De Luca, and Pam Abdy have dedicated themselves to unique filmmakers, and to filling theatres all around the world for years to come,”   Projects currently in the pipeline at Blinding Edge include “Trap”, Shyamalan’s expected next film as a director and The Watchers, the future directorial debut of his daughter Ishana Night Shyamalan.

Night is one of the most iconic and influential directors of his generation and an auteur in every sense of the word. From ‘The Sixth Sense through ‘Split’ to his latest chiller ‘Knock at the Cabin’, he is one of the few directors in contemporary cinema whose name alone promises a bold, singular vision, compelling original storytelling and a provocative, surprising and unique experience at the theatre. Shyamalan’s latest release, Universal Pictures’ “Knock at the Cabin”, has made USD 40 million worldwide now.