Shazam Director Cautious on IP, Returns for Until Dawn

You likely never imagined Shazam! and Shazam: Fury of the Gods director David F. Sandberg would take on another IP film or franchise—and honestly, neither did he. As his new movie Until Dawn prepares for its theatrical release, he's revisiting the intense backlash surrounding his earlier DC Cinematic Universe disappointments and the reasons that drew him back to the world of intellectual property.

"What appealed to me about the script was that it didn't attempt to replicate the game," Sandberg shared with GamesRadar+ about the popular horror game's transformation into a film. "Condensing ten hours into about two would be a challenge, but the story remains frightening, even though we're taking a fresh approach." He also pointed out that when adapting a game, fans tend to be highly specific about how their beloved narrative should appear on screen.

"Honestly, fans can become extremely passionate and even hostile. You might receive death threats and similar reactions, so after Shazam 2, I told myself, 'I'm not doing another IP-based film—it's just not worth the stress,'" the director remarked, reflecting on his DCU experience and its aftermath.

Yet, the story of Until Dawn captured his interest. "Then this script arrived, and I thought, 'This would be such an exciting project to explore various horror elements. I felt compelled to take it on and trust that viewers will appreciate our vision,'" Sandberg explained. "I found the writers' time loop concept brilliant—having the night reset captures the essence of the game, where you replay and alter decisions. It truly honors the spirit of the original."

The director fully understands that pleasing every fan in an adaptation is impossible, but his strategy appears ideal for winning over Until Dawn enthusiasts. "Attempting to recreate the game would have drawn heavy criticism—people would say it's inferior or note that the actors have aged," Sandberg elaborated. "You can't outdo the game, so it's a no-win scenario."

Until Dawn was penned by Blair Butler and Gary Dauberman, the latter renowned for writing It: Chapter Two, and features Ella Rubin in a leading role. The film debuts in theaters on April 25, 2025.