As a longtime fan of M. Night Shyamalan‘s work, I’ve always been captivated by his twist endings and the thought-provoking narratives he weaves. The Village, for me, stands as one of his most intriguing films, with its layers of mystery and suspense. However, learning about the alternate ending on the ReelBlend podcast was a fascinating revelation that added another dimension to my appreciation for this master storyteller.
M. Night Shyamalan has built a reputation for surprising twist endings since his groundbreaking revelation at the close of “The Sixth Sense,” and this signature element can be found in films like “The Visit,” “Glass,” and “Split.” When evaluating the best works by this director, the impact or lack thereof of his endings is a significant factor. A particularly intriguing twist from an M. Night Shyamalan movie unfolds in the 2004 thriller “The Village,” although during a recent interview on TopMob’s ReelBlend podcast, Shyamalan shared that he initially envisioned a much more unconventional ending, which proved too intense for audiences.
As a devoted fan of M. Night Shyamalan’s work since my teenage years, I have always been careful about spoilers for his movies, especially those that have stood the test of time like “The Village,” which was released two decades ago. If you haven’t watched it yet and want to preserve the mystery, I strongly advise proceeding with caution when reading further discussions about this film or any other Shyamalan movie that might contain spoilers. The suspense and unexpected twists in his storylines are part of what makes them so captivating, and once you know the ending, it can diminish the magic of the experience. So, tread carefully if you’re a fan of the unknown!
What is the alternate ending for The Village?
In the movie titled “The Village,” a young Joaquin Phoenix and Bryce Dallas Howard portray inhabitants of a colonial settlement named Covington. The villagers generally coexist peacefully because they avoid venturing into the forest that encircles their town, fearful of monstrous creatures lurking within. The setting suggests an era piece created by M. Night Shyamalan. However, when her lover Lucius (Phoenix) is mortally wounded, the blind Ivy (Howard) decides to venture into the woods in search of remedy. Instead, she encounters a contemporary security guard – played by Shyamalan himself in his signature Hitchcock-esque cameo – who assists Ivy while also vowing to protect her secret.
In the latest episode of ReelBlend, I was fascinated to learn about M. Night Shyamalan’s stand on that controversial ending. However, it wasn’t his original plan. As Night shared with ReelBlend, he had a different, more shocking idea in mind – one that even featured him in a cameo! Here’s the twist: Jay-Z was supposed to be part of it. That’s what I picked up from our chat.
That ending changed a bit. I had shot a different ending for The Village and … I thought for a long time about putting it on the Blu-ray. I intentionally didn’t because it was so different and it would make such a – you would change your memory of the movie so much. Because it was (such an) alternate path. Basically, (Ivy) came out, and everyone found out about the place, and it basically blows up, essentially. … I was thinking about putting ‘99 Problems’ – this is before the Black album came out. I was thinking of putting that as the thing. Because like, she comes (out of the woods) and literally, a car almost hits her, but the guy driving it, which was me by the way, was was listening to Jay-Z’s ‘99 Problems.’ That was the ending of the movie. Like, I almost hit her. And like, you’re hearing him, ‘I got 99 problems, but a …’ So basically, the value system just goes flip at the end.
It’s interesting to learn that M. Night Shyamalan actually filmed an alternate ending for his movie, where he was driving a car playing Jay-Z and nearly colliding with Bryce Dallas Howard as she stepped out of the woods. However, in delving deeper into the topic, Shyamalan explains why he opted to use the final version we saw, despite receiving mixed feedback on it.
Why didn’t M. Night Shyamalan use the Jay-Z ending?
In the extended version of “The Village”, Ivy gathers essential medications to treat Lucius, subsequently reentering the village. The elders, who’ve created this sanctuary for the safety of their children and families from modern society’s dangers, believe that the hardships endured throughout the movie are justified if it preserves the illusion of Covington.
As Shyamalan explained to ReelBlend:
The current state, with their choice to persist in this lifestyle, carries a strong and emotional impact. Seeing them at the culmination point, making the decision together, expressing ‘It’s worth it for us,’ is something we all aspire for our children. Essentially, we want to create a world where they feel secure.
As a gamer diving deep into “The Village,” I can tell you that though the Jay-Z finale earned a landslide of approval from me, it somehow managed to shatter the immersive emotional bond I had formed with the game’s world. Here’s how I put it:
My spouse is quite fond of that concluding scene. Upon viewing it, she exclaimed, “That was the end!” It’s quite thought-provoking. The reaction was divided because some found it offensive due to the use of explicit language. It was like a sudden shift from a tranquil ‘Little House on the Prairie’ atmosphere to a raw, urban vibe akin to Jay-Z.
Make sure to watch our full conversation with M. Night Shyamalan on the ReelBlend podcast:
If you’re keen on catching M. Night Shyamalan’s new film, “Trap,” it’s been steadily growing its fanbase at the box office, despite challenges from “Deadpool” and “Wolverine,” as well as Blake Lively’s movie, “It Ends With Us.” There are plenty of options at the cinema, including some upcoming films in 2024, so feel free to explore and enjoy!
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2024-08-13 22:09