M. Night Shyamalan's "Devil" gets its due

Director M. Night Shyamalan poses for a portrait during a press day promoting his new film ''The Happening'' in New York June 9, 2008.

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - M. Night Shyamalan is making a deal with the "Devil."

The "Sixth Sense" director will produce the supernatural thriller "Devil," an independently financed project based on his idea. No plot details were revealed.

It will be directed by "Quarantine" duo John Erick Dowdle and Drew Dowdle from a script by Brian Nelson ("30 Days of Night"). The project will be the first feature Shyamalan has written or produced without directing.

"Devil" heads into production next year, aiming for a PG-13 rating. It will be the first under a three-film financing/production partnership with independent financier Media Rights Capital, dubbed the Night Chronicles. The subsequent two films, set to begin production in 2010 and 2011, respectively, will also be based on his original stories.

John Erick Dowdle recently directed "Quarantine," an adaptation of the Spanish horror hit "(Rec)" he co-scripted with brother Drew.

"This is a dream for me. I wanted to find filmmakers that inspire me and I found them," said Shyamalan, who will co-own the films' copyrights with MRC and shop them for distribution.

Shyamalan, who recently experienced recent critical lambasting for his $64.5 million-grossing supernatural thriller "The Happening," is now directing "The Last Airbender," a family fantasy which is set for a 2010 release through Paramount.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter