Shazam Director Hesitant on IP Films, Returns for Until Dawn

You might have thought that David F. Sandberg, the director behind Shazam! and Shazam: Fury of the Gods, would steer clear of IP films after the intense backlash he faced. Yet, here he is, diving back into the world of adaptations with his upcoming film, Until Dawn. As the release date approaches, Sandberg is opening up about the rollercoaster of emotions that come with bringing beloved stories to the big screen.

In an interview with GamesRadar+, Sandberg shared his excitement about Until Dawn, emphasizing that the film isn't just a direct translation of the popular 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." He acknowledged the challenge of satisfying fans, who are often very particular about how their favorite stories are adapted.

Reflecting on his experiences with the DC Cinematic Universe, Sandberg admitted that the backlash was overwhelming. "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 confessed. However, the compelling script for Until Dawn changed his mind. "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 said. He praised the writers for their innovative approach, particularly the time loop concept that echoes the game's replayability and decision-making elements. "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 that pleasing every fan is an impossible task when adapting an IP, but he believes his approach with Until Dawn is the best way to win over the game's fans. "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. "You wouldn't be able to better the game, so you'd just be in a losing situation."

Until Dawn was penned by Blair Butler and Gary Dauberman, known for his work on It: Chapter Two, and stars Ella Rubin. The film is set to hit theaters on April 25, 2025, promising a fresh take on the beloved horror game that respects its source material while offering something new and exciting.