Shazam Director Hesitant on IP Films, Returns for Until Dawn

You might be surprised to learn that David F. Sandberg, the director behind Shazam! and Shazam: Fury of the Gods, is returning to the realm of IP-based films with his upcoming project, Until Dawn. After facing significant backlash from his previous DC Cinematic Universe ventures, Sandberg initially swore off IP films, citing the intense reactions from fans, including death threats. However, the compelling script for Until Dawn changed his mind.

In an interview with GamesRadar+, Sandberg expressed his excitement about the film's approach to the beloved horror game. "What I loved about the script [is] that it wasn't trying to recreate the game," he said. Instead of compressing the game's 10-hour experience into a two-hour film, Until Dawn offers a fresh take while maintaining its scary essence. Sandberg acknowledged the challenges of satisfying IP fans, who can be very particular about how their favorite stories are adapted on screen.

Despite his initial reluctance, the unique story of Until Dawn drew him back. "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 shared. He praised the script's innovative time loop concept, which echoes the game's replayability and choice-driven narrative, capturing its spirit without trying to replicate it exactly.

Sandberg is well aware of the difficulty in pleasing every fan when adapting an IP. "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 noted. By not attempting to better the game, Sandberg believes they avoid a losing situation.

Until Dawn was penned by Blair Butler and Gary Dauberman, the latter known for writing It: Chapter Two, and stars Ella Rubin. The film is set to hit theaters on April 25, 2025, promising a thrilling experience for fans of the original game and horror enthusiasts alike.