Story perspectives

Shyamalan and Sparks Unite for Dual Release: 'Remain'

10/14/2025

Summary

Story summary

M. Night Shyamalan and Nicholas Sparks are collaborating on "Remain," a project that features both a novel and a film released simultaneously.
The story centers on Tate Donovan, a grieving architect who meets Wren, a ghost, while designing a summer home in Cape Cod.
Nicholas Sparks highlights the different storytelling styles in the novel and film, comparing them to "identical twins raised separately."
Shyamalan, who previously declined to adapt Sparks' "The Notebook," appreciates the partnership for its creative opportunities.
The film is scheduled for release in October 2026.

History

Historical Context

Nicholas Sparks' debut novel, "The Notebook," released in 1996, was adapted into a successful film in 2004, grossing over $115 million. The film, starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, became a cultural touchstone, influencing romantic storytelling in Hollywood. This trend of simultaneous novel and film releases, exemplified by Sparks' collaboration with M. Night Shyamalan, is reshaping audience engagement with stories.

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Story summary

M. Night Shyamalan and Nicholas Sparks are collaborating on "Remain," a project that features both a novel and a film released simultaneously.
The story centers on Tate Donovan, a grieving architect who meets Wren, a ghost, while designing a summer home in Cape Cod.
Nicholas Sparks highlights the different storytelling styles in the novel and film, comparing them to "identical twins raised separately."
Shyamalan, who previously declined to adapt Sparks' "The Notebook," appreciates the partnership for its creative opportunities.
The film is scheduled for release in October 2026.

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