Back in 1999, 'The Sixth Sense' was released into theaters, and saying that it might have had an impact is quite the understatement.
With Bruce Willis at the helm, the film was a massive success at the box office while receiving stellar reviews. As we'll reveal throughout the article, the film almost wasn't made due to M. Night Shyamalan's huge price tag on the project.
We'll take a look at what went down behind the scenes prior to the film getting released, along with the success that it would become at the box office.
In addition, we'll answer the question that fans might be wondering, is it based on a true story? The response might cause some shock to a lot of fans, as there might be a boy out there with similar gifts to Haley Joel Osment's character.
The Film Almost Wasn't Made
M. Night Shyamalan wasn't messing around when it came to the script of 'The Sixth Sense'. From the start, he put out some serious clauses to the script, which included himself attached to the project as the director, along with a minimum bid of $1 million for the script.
Alongside 'The Hollywood Reporter', M. Night made mention that he would've shelved the script if interest wasn't there and in accordance with his clauses.
''I have to be attached as director, and we’re going to have a $1 million minimum bid,” he told them. “If they want to read it, they have to know that this is going to start at $1 million.'”
“‘It’s fine if no one wants to pay that money for it. If they don’t want to make it, I will shelve it.’ You have to not be bluffing when you say stuff like that. I wasn’t bluffing. I’ll do other things, but I won’t make the movie.”
Ultimately, as he expected, there was a huge bid battle for the script, with Disney coming out on top. The studio picking up the film was huge, especially given the rating it was able to use of 'PG-13'. This gave to film a broader audience as opposed to rated 'R'.
“I remember it ended with Disney hearing that another company was going to come in with a big offer. So they called immediately and said, ‘We want to close it. Right now.'”
It was a huge moment for the film and it was followed up by some major success at the box office.
'The Sixth Sense' Was A Huge Sucess
The 1999 film was a monster at the box office. Off a budget of $40 million, the movie brought in a whopping $672 million.
The cast also reaped the rewards, especially Bruce Willis who had a bonus clause in his contract based on the film's profits. Bruce walked away from the film with over $100 million. It was the most bank he made for a single movie in his career.
Shyamalan gave some major props to the cast for the film's success and in fact, he claims that might not have opted to do the film had Osment not been cast.
“There was something magical about his audition,” Shyamalan says of Osment. “When I left the room, I told the casting director, ‘I don’t know if I want to make the movie if it’s not with that kid.'” Especially after the actor uttered the film’s iconic line, “I see dead people.”
Turns out, there is a boy that is similar to the Osment character from the film. His name is Elijah Howell and his story is pretty darn remarkable.
Elijah Howell Is The Real 'Sixth Sense' Boy
Is the film based on a true story? According to Huffington Post, the answer might surprise fans. There is a boy out in Naples, Florida who is said to have psychic power. Not only does he predict future events, but he's also able to connect with the deceased, including his later grandparents. His mother recalled some of the chilling experiences.
"While I was pregnant Elijah said, 'Mommy, your baby is going to go with God'. I said 'Don't say that Elijah, don't say things like that', because I was scared because he knows things."
"I did miscarry a couple of days later and he kept stroking me and telling me it was going to be OK."
"A while later he said, 'Don't worry mommy, you're going have two babies and they're two boys', and in my head I thought he just wanted brothers."
"Months later we ended up finding out we were having twins - and that they were boys."
He has a great connection with the spiritual world, including with those that passed on. Quit the story.
