Shyamalan is also critical of Disney's lack of faith in his artistic choices and says that the studio "no longer valued individualism," which prompted him to turn down their offer to back his 2006 film, "Lady in the Water," which did not meet the critical and commercial success of his previous films. He even dissed Disney in Michael Bamberger's 2006 book, "The Man Who Heard Voices: Or, How M. Night Shyamalan Risked his Career on a Fairy Tale which led many in Hollywood to label him as an arrogant diva, an accusation that has dogged him for most of his career.

"The problem is the assumption that if I am selling the movie —- because I’m selling me —- that I’m being egotistical. If Will Smith did the same thing, it would be perceived very differently,” Shyamalan told the New York Times. “You’re supposed to be hidden if you’re a director. That’s a rule that who said in the movie business?"

I've heard the Shyamalan-as-jerk rumors as well, but I kind of like how unapologetic he is about his artistic standards and not wanting to be a studio puppet. I myself did not make it through an entire screening of "Lady in the Water," (though I did like the multi-ethnic supporting cast) but I can appreciate a director that tries to avoid formulaic stories that have made boat loads of money in the past. And as a successful (if not the most, by Hollywood standards) Asian American director, I think it's refreshing that he's confrontational, that his artistic integrity is important enough to him that he'll risk being disliked.

Shyamalan's next film, "The Happening" starring Mark Wahlberg and John Leguizamo opens later this month.

This blog entry is graciously sponsored by Toyota Matrix, check out their website devoted to the best in Asian American film.