Shyamalan to direct Will and Jaden Smith

LOS ANGELES, April 5 (UPI) -- M. Night Shyamalan is to direct father-son actors Will and Jaden Smith in a science-fiction picture, Columbia Pictures said.

Doug Belgrad, the studio's president, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter Monday.

Shyamalan co-wrote the as-yet-untitled film with Gary Whitta.

Set 1,000 years in the future, the movie is about an alien boy, played by Jaden, whose ship crashes to Earth.

The elder Smith will play his estranged dad, the entertainment industry trade newspaper said.

"Night is an outstanding filmmaker who has a tremendous vision for this science-fiction adventure story and we couldn't be more excited to be working again with Jaden after our experiences on 'The Pursuit of Happyness' and 'The Karate Kid,'" Belgrad said in a statement. "We're thrilled to have the two of them together on this project."

"The chance to make a scary, science-fiction film starring Jaden and Will is my dream project," Shyamalan added.

Shyamalan's film credits include "The Sixth Sense," "Unbreakable," "The Village," "Signs," "Lady in the Water," "The Happening" and "The Last Airbender."

Some of Will Smith's biggest hits have had sci-fi themes, such as the "Men in Black" films, "Independence Day" and "I Am Legend."