David F. Sandberg Directs Until Dawn After Shazam Backlash

David F. Sandberg, known for Shazam! and Shazam: Fury of the Gods, never imagined returning to IP-based films after intense backlash from his DC Cinematic Universe projects. Yet, with Until Dawn set to hit theaters, the director is opening up about the “incredibly intense” criticism he faced and what drew him back to adapting another IP.

“The script stood out because it didn’t try to replicate the game,” Sandberg shared with GamesRadar+ about the horror game adaptation. “It avoids squeezing a 10-hour experience into two hours while still delivering scares in a fresh way.” He acknowledged that fans of IP adaptations can be fiercely protective, with strong opinions on how their beloved stories should unfold on screen.

“Honestly, fans can get extremely passionate, even furious. I’ve faced death threats and all sorts after Shazam 2, which made me swear off IP films,” Sandberg admitted, reflecting on his DCU challenges. “It felt like too much trouble.”

Still, the unique premise of Until Dawn piqued his interest. “When I read the script, I thought, ‘This could be thrilling—tackling these horror elements? I have to do it.’ I hope fans see our vision and embrace it,” he said. “The writers cleverly introduced a time loop concept, where the night resets, capturing the game’s replayable feel with different choices. It’s true to the game’s spirit.”

Sandberg knows pleasing every fan is impossible when adapting an IP, but his approach aims to win over Until Dawn’s audience. “If we’d tried to recreate the game exactly, fans would’ve criticized it for not matching up—different actors, the cast aging,” he explained. “You can’t outdo the original game, so you’d be set up to fail.”

Until Dawn, penned by Blair Butler and Gary Dauberman—known for It: Chapter Two—stars Ella Rubin. The film lands in theaters on April 25, 2025.