You might be surprised to learn that David F. Sandberg, the director behind Shazam! and Shazam: Fury of the Gods, is returning to helm another IP film with Until Dawn. After the tumultuous experience with his previous DC Cinematic Universe films, Sandberg had initially vowed to steer clear of IP-based projects. However, the compelling script for Until Dawn changed his mind, drawing him back into the world of adaptations.
In an interview with GamesRadar+, Sandberg shared his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing that the film isn't merely a condensed version of the beloved horror game. "What I loved about the script [is] that it wasn't trying to recreate the game," he explained. "Trying to condense 10 hours into two, or something like that. But it is scary still, even though we're doing a new thing." Sandberg acknowledges the challenges of adapting game properties, noting that fans have strong expectations about how their favorite stories should be brought to the screen.
Reflecting on his experience with the DCU, Sandberg admitted the intense backlash he faced. "I mean, to be honest, fans can get very, very crazy and very angry with you. You can get, like, death threats and everything so after Shazam 2, I was like, 'I never wanna do another IP-based movie because it's just not worth it,'" he said. Despite these challenges, the script for Until Dawn piqued his interest. "But then I was sent this script, and I was like, 'Ah, this would be so much fun to do, to do all these kinds of horrors? I kind of have to do it, and hope that the people see what we're trying to do and like it,'" Sandberg noted. He praised the writers, Blair Butler and Gary Dauberman, for their innovative approach, particularly the time loop concept that mirrors the game's replayability and choice-driven narrative. "I really thought it was brilliant of the writers to come up with this time loop idea where the night starts over because then you do kind of get that feel of the game, when you're replaying it and making different choices. I think it's very much in the spirit of the game."
Sandberg understands the impossibility of pleasing every fan when adapting an IP, yet he believes his approach with Until Dawn will resonate with its audience. "I think we would've gotten a lot of critique if we had tried to [recreate the game], because people would've been like, 'It's not as good. It's not the same actors, because, you know, they're older now,'" he stated. "You wouldn't be able to better the game, so you'd just be in a losing situation."
Until Dawn, starring Ella Rubin, is set to hit theaters on April 25, 2025. Written by Blair Butler and Gary Dauberman, the film promises a fresh yet faithful take on the horror genre, capturing the essence of the original game while offering a new cinematic experience.
