after "unbreakable"'s release in 2000, rumors of possible sequels began circulating in different interviews and in film fansites. in 2000, bruce willis was quoted as hoping for an "unbreakable" trilogy. in december 2000, m. night shyamalan denied rumors he had written "unbreakable" as the first installment of a trilogy. in august 2001, he stated that because of successful dvd sales, he had approached touchstone pictures about an "unbreakable" sequel, an idea shyamalan said the studio originally declined because of the film's disappointing box office performance.