Ishana Night Shyamalan, the daughter of filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, is all set to make her directorial debut with The Watchers. The upcoming horror feature will star the War of the Worlds star Dakota Fanning alongside Georgina Campbell and others.
The senior Shyamalan is known for his works in the horror and supernatural genres with movies like The Sixth Sense and Split. Dakota Fanning, who is hopeful about Ishana Night Shyamalan’s horror flick, revealed that working in The Watchers unexpectedly fulfilled her life-long desire.
The Ocean’s 8 actress claimed that The Watchers was a special experience for her as she always wanted to work in an M. Night Shyamalan movie. The latter is associated as a producer in his daughter’s first directorial.
The War of the Worlds star thanks The Watchers for fulfilling her childhood wish
Dakota Fanning has been in the entertainment industry for a very long time. She started as a child actress and did some renowned projects like I am Sam, Uptown Girls, and War of the Worlds. She also went on to become the youngest nominee in SAG history.
When M. Night Shyamalan sat for an interview with Total Film regarding his daughter’s horror flick, he spoke about the fascinating case of Dakota Fanning. He recalled that the Coraline actress first met him when she was around 11 and expressed her wish to work in his film. Shyamalan felt that it was a beautiful full-circle moment for Fanning to get to work in his daughter’s first movie.
Fanning, who is presently 30 years old, corroborated the Oscar-nominated filmmaker’s statement and claimed that it was a dream come true moment for her to work in a film made by the collaboration of both Shyamalans.
I had met Night once before when I was younger, but got to know him much better while making the film. I’m such a fan of his, and his films. I think there should be a whole genre that’s Shyamalan!
The project features the Ripley actress as an artist, Mina, stranded in an Irish forest with a mysterious cabin, housing some people who are observed every night by strange creatures. The film is based on a novel by A.M. Shine. Interestingly, the film will have a different title ‘The Watched’ in the UK and Ireland theatrical cuts.
Ishana Night Shyamalan enjoyed working on her debut project with her father
M. Night Shyamalan is known for putting interesting twists in his horror or supernatural projects. It is expected that the fans may also compare the junior Shyamalan’s work to his father’s. However, it is reported by The Hollywood Reporter, that the Knock at the Cabin director let his daughter have full control and was only there on the set as a mentor.
Ishana Night Shyamalan admitted that it was an incredible experience working alongside her father, who has been extremely encouraging to her. She adds that it was a healthy process where the senior director did not interfere at all in her work.
It was awesome. It’s such an interesting thing to have a dad-daughter relationship, and there’s so much intensity and care there. But it’s been so wonderful. He’s a very encouraging artist and producer and he really wants me to do what I want to do and make my mark. So it’s been very healthy and wonderful.
Dakota Fanning also spoke highly about the emerging filmmaker and confidently claimed that The Watchers director will have a long and bright future ahead. On the other hand, Ishana Night Shyamalan has seemingly decided to play more in the horror genre.
The Watchers will be released on June 07, 2024.
