Key Takeaways:
– Director M. Night Shyamalan is celebrated for his unique filmmaking and knack for unexpected plot twists.
– His best film, ‘The Sixth Sense’, not only won the audience’s heart but also the box office.
– Disney executive, David Vogel, broke protocols to acquire the rights to ‘The Sixth Sense’, leading to his dismissal.
– The film contributed to Disney’s success but was partially financed by Spyglass due to internal politics.
– Bruce Willis’ admiration for Shyamalan saw the duo collaborating further, elevating Shyamalan’s status in the film industry.
Filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘The Sixth Sense’: A Filmography Gem
M. Night Shyamalan’s illustrious filmography encloses several iconic projects. Each of his movies demonstrates his distinctive style of delivering unpredictable twists which leave the audience astounded. However, amidst all his creations, ‘The Sixth Sense’ emerges as the gem, having influenced pop culture and leaving a lasting imprint on the modern film industry.
David Vogel’s Gamble on ‘The Sixth Sense’
David Vogel, the former President of Disney, demonstrated an uncanny foresight when he decided to purchase the rights to ‘The Sixth Sense’ script, inviolating company protocols. Despite its simple plot, the movie went on to gross a whopping $672.8 million worldwide, earning its place as one of the best creations of Shyamalan.
During the late ’90s, the internal politics at Disney were tumultuous. Vogel, however, saw exceptional potential in ‘The Sixth Sense’, so much so that he invested his personal savings, forking out $2.25 million to acquire the rights to the film. His actions send ripples throughout Disney’s top management, triggering Shockwaves of discontent.
Internal Tussles at Disney over ‘The Sixth Sense’
Vogel’s decision to bypass company protocols for purchasing the movie’s rights ignited outrage among his superiors. This led to Spyglass partially financing the film, while Disney only received a 12.5% distribution fee.
As a result, Vogel faced consequences within the corporate structure, with the company requesting him to revise his contract and relinquish some of his powers. When Vogel stood firm and refused to surrender the control of ‘The Sixth Sense’, he was subsequently dismissed.
Bruce Willis Bets on M. Night Shyamalan’s Vision
While working on ‘The Sixth Sense’, M. Night Shyamalan had the opportunity to collaborate with his idol, Bruce Willis. Willis, who had been an inspiration for Shyamalan throughout his career, gave the budding director a rare and memorable compliment.
In an exclusive interview with Jake’s Takes, Shyamalan shared that Willis acknowledged that he felt the same level of enthusiasm for ‘The Sixth Sense’ as he did for ‘Pulp Fiction’ with Quentin Tarantino. A grounded person, Willis readily risked his reputation to promoting talents he believed in. His faith in Shyamalan was instrumental in him gaining a firm foothold in the industry.
Conclusion
More than two decades since its release, ‘The Sixth Sense’ still stands as a testament to M. Night Shyamalan’s storytelling prowess. Unfolding a simple story with an unforeseeable climax, Shyamalan not only etched his name into the annals of cinematic history but also significantly impacted Disney’s approach to film acquisition.
