Jaden and Will Smith starring together in M. Night Shyamalan’s next film

Just when you thought you were safe from April Fool’s jokes comes this gem, which, according to an official Columbia press release, is the real deal.

Not only are Jaden and Will Smith reteaming for another film, it’s going to be under the direction of none other than the auteur fallen from grace, M. Night Shyamalan. Here’s the official word about the untitled film:

Jaden Smith is set to star opposite his father, Will Smith, for director M. Night Shyamalan in an untitled sci-fi adventure, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures. Shyamalan and Will Smith will produce with James Lassiter, Jada Pinkett Smith and Ken Stovitz, Smith’s partners at Overbrook Entertainment. The screenplay is by M. Night Shyamalan and Gary Whitta.

Set 1,000 years into the future, a young boy navigates an abandoned and sometimes scary Earth to save himself and his estranged father after their ship crashes.

A “sometimes scary Earth?” Is this a serious plot synopsis? So, who will win out, the irrepressible charm of the Smith family, or Shyamalan’s assuredly wooden script? Despite all his abilities, Smith has not had the power to make lackluster movies (especially sci-fi ones) good by himself (I AM LEGEND, I ROBOT, HANCOCK, etc.) and pairing him with Shyamalan does not seem like the best plan to launch him back into blockbuster stardom.

I would almost be fine with Shyamalan directing, but why anyone still lets this man get near a screenplay, I have no idea. He and George Lucas need to attend some sort of support group for directors who can’t write. At least with the Smiths involved we know there’s some talent present in this project, but what the end result will be is anyone’s guess.

What do you make of this?