Shazam Director Hesitates 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 from his DC Cinematic Universe projects. However, he's now diving back into the world of IPs with his new film, Until Dawn, which is set to hit theaters soon. Sandberg recently shared his thoughts on the tumultuous experience with his previous DC films and what drew him to this new project.

"What I loved about the script [is] that it wasn't trying to recreate the game," Sandberg told GamesRadar+ about the beloved horror game turned film. "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 that even with a game property like Until Dawn, IP fans have strong opinions about how their favorite stories should be adapted on screen.

"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,'" the filmmaker admitted about his DCU experience and its aftermath.

Yet, the potential of the Until Dawn story was too compelling for him to pass up. "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, saying, "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."

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 scheduled to premiere in theaters on April 25, 2025.