“M. Night Shyamalan is heading to Apple,” Joe Otterson reports for Variety. “The streaming service has given a straight-to-series order to a psychological thriller series from writer Tony Basgallop that Shyamalan will executive produce. Plot details for the series are being kept under wraps. The half-hour series has received a 10-episode order, with Shyamalan also set to direct the first episode.”
“This project will be Shyamalan’s second foray into television,” Otterson reports. “He previously executive produced the Fox series Wayward Pines, which recently ended after two seasons.”
“He most recently wrote, produced, and directed the hit film Split and is preparing the sequel Glass, both of which tie into his 2000 film Unbreakable. He is also behind blockbusters like The Sixth Sense and Signs,” Otterson reports. “This marks the latest high-profile project in Apple’s ever-growing originals slate”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Another win for Apple’s nascent content production enterprise!
Those who can wrap their heads around Apple’s massive cash mountain and the company’s unparalleled ability to generate cash can clearly see who the winner will be. The most talented producers, writers, directors, editors, actors, etc. are attracted to exactly what Apple has and makes in vast abundance: Cash. The king.
Like bears to honey, it’s happening already. – MacDailyNews, January 3, 2018
SEE ALSO:
Apple hires Carol Trussell as Head Of Production for Worldwide Video Programming division – February 22, 2018
Apple’s TV tactics: Can Cupertino figure out the television formula? – January 16, 2018
Apple orders ‘See’ series, a futuristic drama from ‘Hunger Games’ director – January 10, 2018
Life after iTunes: Apple’s big media challenge – January 9, 2018
Apple developing new original drama ‘Are You Sleeping’ starring Octavia Spencer – January 3, 2018
Three more Amazon Studios executives move to Apple – December 26, 2017
Apple orders space drama series from ‘Battlestar Galactica’ producer Ronald D. Moore – December 15, 2017
Apple gives Jennifer Aniston-Reese Witherspoon series a 2-season order, confirms Spielberg’s ‘Amazing Stories’ reboot – November 9, 2017
Apple outbids Netflix for show starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon – November 8, 2017
Apple eyes iconic studio as base for Hollywood production push; vying with Netflix for high-profile Jennifer Aniston drama – September 1, 2017
The magic and misdirection of Apple’s streaming strategy – August 18, 2017
Apple wants to spend $1 billion on 10 original TV shows over the next year – August 16, 2017
Former WGN America president Matt Cherniss joins Apple in latest TV push – August 15, 2017
Rivals leaving Apple behind as Apple TV remains stuck in a test pattern – August 8, 2017
Apple’s so-called TV ‘strategy’ continues to be an embarrassing joke – June 30, 2017
Apple poaches Sony TV executives to lead major push into original content – June 16, 2017
Apple’s Eddy Cue alienated cable providers and networks with an assertive negotiating style – report – July 28, 2016
So I guess Apple is now the place for directors with dead careers to go out to pasture?
Okay, THAT’s a bit mean, no?
Shyamalan isn’t at the peak celebration level he was for a time, but has continued to create worlds that audiences have enjoyed. I think “Split” was excellent, and it teased a follow-up to “Unbreakable,” another very sharp work.
Apple is relatively quietly making deals with some very strong creative talent. Remains to be seen if they can curate a strong enough offering to break into Netflix & Amazon’s world.
Yes it WAS a bit mean but deserved. The man has used up his 15 minutes of fame and after a lot of great promise created a lot of expensive duds. He took up slots other directors couldn’t have to get their shot. I would rather Apple not make deals with has-beens. I work in the business and see a side of it perhaps you don’t. It seems to smack of Apple desperation to be making deals with guys like this out of the gate. But I guess like a clock is right twice a day maybe he’ll step up.
Apple is certainly throwing a lot of money around and only time will show if it has been spent well. Hollywood has a long record of fleecing rubes with ca$h.