One of the biggest surprises of 2017 so far has beenSplit, not only because of that twist ending, but because the film was made for $9 million and grossed $275 million. The picture marked filmmakerM. Night Shyamalan’s second time working with produceJason Blumafter 2015’sThe Visit, but as those who’ve seenSplitknow, the final moments reveal that the film actually takes place in theUnbreakableuniverse and sets up a sequel that will findJames McAvoy’s “The Horde” crossing paths withBruce WillisandSamuel L. Jacksonfrom Shyamalan’s 2000 supernatural thriller.
Universal Pictures has since announced that Shyamalanwill indeed be directing a sequel,Glass, with McAvoy, Willis, Jackson, andSplitFinal GirlAnya Taylor-Joystarring, and the film has already been dated for release in early 2019. But with all of these personalities clashing in one movie, it’s hard to believeGlasswill carry the same low-budget mentality ofSplit. So when Collider’s Steve Weintraub spoke with Blum recently in anticipation of the Blu-ray release ofGet Out, he asked if the budget forGlassmight be bigger. That is indeed the case.
“The budget is more traditional, still by Hollywood standards a very low budget, but it is not $5 million."
As for when filming might begin, Blum revealed that he hasn’t yet seen the script as Shyamalan is still writing, but they’re aiming to begin production this year:
“We hope so, I hope so. We have a release date in January of 2019, so we have to start shooting pretty soon.”
Indeed, Willis and Jackson are both busy guys, so lining those two schedules up is key. Although, since both actors have expressed enthusiasm about reprising theirUnbreakableroles in the past, one imagines they’re itching to get back into gear forGlass.
