Director M. Night Shyamalan has confirmed on Twitter that he will be reuniting with composer James Newton Howard on his next feature After Earth. The sci-fi movie stars Will and Jaden Smith as a father and son who crash-land on Earth one thousand years after mankind has abandoned the planet. The crash leaves the father badly injured and the son must trek across the hostile terrain to recover their rescue beacon. Gary Whitta (The Book of Eli) and Stephen Gaghan (Traffic, Syriana) have written the screenplay with Shyamalan. The director is also producing with Smith, James Lassiter (I Am Legend, The Karate Kid) and Caleeb Pinkett for Overbrook Entertainment. Shyamalan has previously collaborated with Newton Howard on his last seven films, including The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs, The Village and The Last Airbender. After Earth is scheduled to be released on June 7, 2013 by Sony Pictures.

Newton Howard’s other upcoming projects include Tony Gilroy’s The Bourne Legacy, for which a soundtrack album has already been announced. The composer’s music can currently be heard in theaters in the fantasy film Snow White and the Huntsman.

  1. Justin Boggan says:

    If this is to shove in pollution propaganda, like in “Wall-E” (most unwelcomed, by the way), I’ll be saying good-bye to Shyamalan.

  2. Teddy B says:

    I don’t believe it is, Justin. Earth is actually supposedly very wild and overgrown in this story.

    Excited to see what comes from these “minimalist Japanese cinema” ideas James and Night are discussing.

  3. Macejko says:

    After throwing away the great chance he had with Snow White and The Huntsman, I don’t think I trust him anymore…

    • David says:

      The great chance of what? He wrote a beautiful score and a gorgeous main theme and amazing lyrical moments. And don’t trust on him? He’s not working for you. JNH works for the people who hire him to do music.

      • Macejko says:

        You don’t say? So, as a person who listens to orchestral scores, I have no right to trust or not to trust a composer?
        And yes, I think SWATH did not fulfill its potential in many many ways and it really felt like a semi-finished product.

        • zahnmimres says:

          As far as I know, SWATH has received mixed responses indeed. I’m on the side of people who like it, albeit not as much as I have expected. Howard is getting better this year since his previous downfall in Green Lantern. According to that, if I have to grade his works, I’m gonna give his THG as well as SWATH ‘C+’ and ‘B’ respectively. I believe there’s still a great chance for him and I think we all know that Shyamalan usually brings the best out of him. Therefore, this one looks very promising!

  4. Lee Allen says:

    James Newton Howard has created consistent masterpieces for Shyamalan. Some critics have said his Airbender Score is one of the greatest ever written. He will create something absolutely remarkable for After Earth. And I can’t wait to hear his genius.