M. Night Shyamalan has his next project lined up, and it’s going to be a treat for fans of an iconic toy from the 1980s. Mattel is teaming up with the director behind Trap for a small screen take on the Magic 8 Ball, the plastic sphere that answers yes or no questions. Of course, the latest Shyamalan will feature his usual eye for the supernatural, while blending the psychological elements from his past work. The acclaimed filmmaker posted on his Instagram an image of the pilot script for a TV series titled Magic 8 Ball. Although it was reported that a film was being made last year, it seems Mattel has decided to move forward with the upcoming television project. Shyamalan will serve as the director on the series, as well as co-showrunner alongside writer Brad Falchuk (American Horror Story). The show will officially look to “reimagine the classic Magic 8 Ball as the centerpiece of a high-concept, character-driven supernatural drama that blends psychological intensity with cultural intrigue.” You can check out the social media announcement below. Plot details are non-existent for Magic 8 Ball, but it seems Mattel is going the horror route for the iconic toy. The film reportedly in the works last year was set to be a horror-comedy written by Cocaine Bear’s Jimmy Warden. While it was not going to be rated R, the project “walks the line a little bit.” It’s unclear if the feature-length project is still in development, but Shyamalan revealed he had been working on the upcoming television adaptation for “a couple of years.” With a pilot script in hand, it seems the series will now move forward, although it is not clear which channel or streamer will pick it up.
Shyamalan’s Next Film Is a Psychological Thriller Starring Jake Gyllenhaal

M. Night Shyamalan’s next film is Remain, a supernatural thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor (Fair Play). The film was written by Shyamalan based on a story he created with Nicholas Sparks, who is simultaneously adapting the idea into a novel. A blend of supernatural and romance, Remain follows a grieving man as he heads to Cape Cod for a fresh start, meeting a young woman that will disrupt his “logical and controlled world” in the process. Warner Bros. is set to release Remain in theaters on October 23, 2026. In addition to Gyllenhaal and Dynevor, the cast features Ashley Walters, Julie Hagerty, Jay O. Sanders, Tracy Ifeachor, Hannah James, Caleb Ruminer, Kieran Mulcare, and Maria Dizzia. Read the official plot synopsis:
“Remain, co-created by Shyamalan and Sparks, follows New York architect Tate Donovan as he arrives in Cape Cod to design his best friend’s summer home. Donovan is looking for a fresh start after his recent discharge from a psychiatric facility where he was treated for acute depression. Still grappling with the loss of his beloved sister, Donovan meets Wren, a young woman who makes him challenge everything he knows about his logical and controlled world. ”