Jake Gyllenhaal is set to lead an upcoming film from M Night Shyamalan, a supernatural romantic thriller co-created by Shyamalan and best-selling novelist Nicholas Sparks. According to a report on Deadline, the project, based on an original love story developed by the two storytellers, will see Shyamalan directing a film while Sparks simultaneously writes a novel inspired by the same concept.

While both versions will share the same characters and central themes, each will be tailored to its respective medium. This marks the first time Shyamalan is collaborating with a renowned writer on an original idea.

Shyamalan and Ashwin Rajan will produce the film through Blinding Edge Pictures, alongside Sparks’ long-time producing partner Theresa Park and Marc Bienstock. Sparks will serve as executive producer. Blinding Edge Pictures is producing, with discussions currently underway for a theatrical release through Warner Bros.

For Gyllenhaal, this project comes on the heels of a strong year. He recently headlined Amazon MGM Studios’ Road House, a modern reinvention of the 1989 action classic, which became a record-breaking hit for the platform and has a sequel already in development. He also starred in Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent, earning a Golden Globe nomination for his performance. Next month, he will take the Broadway stage alongside Denzel Washington in an adaptation of Othello.

Shyamalan remains one of Hollywood’s most recognisable directors, known for crafting suspenseful narratives. He recently delivered another success with Trap, his summer thriller starring Josh Hartnett.

Sparks, meanwhile, continues to dominate the literary world. All of his novels have been New York Times bestsellers, with over 130 million copies sold globally in more than 50 languages. His latest release, Counting Miracles, debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list and is set to be adapted into a film by Amazon.