Static Media
In the pantheon of horror films, M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Sixth Sense” stands out as one of the most chilling and disturbing. The story revolves around a young boy named Cole, portrayed by Haley Joel Osment, who possesses the uncanny ability to communicate with the deceased. Attempting to help Cole navigate what is initially perceived as a mental disorder, child psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe, played by Bruce Willis, eventually realizes the reality of Cole’s supernatural abilities. The 1999 thriller, with its jaw-dropping twist and some of the most terrifying scenes for young viewers, catapulted Shyamalan into stardom. Despite its box office success and status as one of the ’90s’ biggest films, the then relatively unknown Shyamalan faced his own fears during the production, particularly when dealing with Willis.
Willis, a titan in the film industry, is known for his intense, demanding work approach. This intensity was highlighted by director Kevin Smith, who worked with Willis on the 2010 film “Cop Out” and described the experience as “soul crushing” due to their divergent views on filmmaking. And let’s not forget, Willis is also the tenacious John McClane from “Die Hard.” Who wouldn’t be intimidated?
In an interview with GQ, Shyamalan shared an anecdote from the set of “The Sixth Sense” that was more terrifying than the film’s spectral entities: an unexpected summons to Willis’s trailer.
Shyamalan Recalls a Frightening Encounter with Willis
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Shyamalan recounts that during the filming of “The Sixth Sense,” as the day was winding down, Willis was content with their shot and ready to call it a day. However, Shyamalan had a different vision:
“That’s when you have to make a decision. It’s frightening to think that such a minor moment can shape your life. I approached him, whispered in his ear, and could feel his tension, like he was poised to lash out. I said, ‘I want another take, and I want it done this way,’ and shared my thoughts. I pulled back and he gave me a frosty look then I said, ‘Roll sound, let’s go!'”
Willis complied, and the take they captured was the one used in the final cut. Afterward, Willis left the set and asked Shyamalan to join him in his trailer, a request that filled the young director with trepidation. To Shyamalan’s relief, Willis was pleased with the director’s audacity and complimented him, saying, “What you just did, I’ve only felt this one time before and it was with Quentin [Tarantino] on ‘Pulp Fiction.’ You got something kid. You really got something.” This endorsement had Shyamalan elated, especially given that he was being compared to one of the ’90s most prominent indie directors and praised by the star of his film.
Following “The Sixth Sense,” Willis and Shyamalan collaborated on several more projects, including the “Unbreakable” trilogy (also known as the Eastrail 177 trilogy), where Willis plays a security guard with an apparent invulnerability to harm. Nonetheless, it’s their work on “The Sixth Sense” that truly stands out as the pinnacle of Shyamalan’s career.
FAQs
Q: What was Bruce Willis’s role in “The Sixth Sense”?
A: Bruce Willis played the character of Dr. Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist trying to help a young boy who can see and communicate with the dead.
Q: How did M. Night Shyamalan react to Bruce Willis’s request to see him in his trailer?
A: Shyamalan was initially nervous about the unexpected request. However, it turned out to be a positive experience as Willis complimented the director on his work.
Q: What other films have Bruce Willis and M. Night Shyamalan worked on together?
A: After “The Sixth Sense,” Willis and Shyamalan worked together on the “Unbreakable” trilogy.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
