Let’s consider the similarities.
Lucas has many good stories in his head that I would like to listen to and talk about. So does M. Night.
Lucas became very impressed with his own brilliance and somehow thought that because he wrote one good script, that he could write many good scripts. M. Night could use someone else writing his ideas down.
Lucas can create drama, but he can’t create realistic relationships. M. Night’s stilted relationships hurt his films. When the relationship is parent-child, he seems fine, but love. Gracious! The Village and The Happening being our best examples.
Lucas had a cult following. M. Night has his cult of people too.
Lucas was better off when his movies were cheaper and not all CGI crap. M. Night could use someone telling him that he doesn’t HAVE to spend $80 million to make a good movie, especially one that should be focused on the people, not the external action.
Lucas is not a great director. M. Night… well, he has a good eye, but he doesn’t get the best performances out of his actors, maybe because he gives them bad direction.
Lucas’ movies that are directed by others are better than those he directed. A New Hope is a classic, but from Empire Strike Back to the original Indiana Jones movies he had other people making great works. Then he directed the second Star Wars trilogy. I rest my case.
Would M. Night benefit from somebody else working with him, like a Rian Johnson or Spike Jonze who would have a different view on things? Yes, I believe he would.
M. Night Shyamalan still can make great films, but he’s got to let other smart people help him. Forget the studios, but he’s got the ideas. He needs the direction.




