Shazam's Director Rejects IP Films, Returns for Until Dawn

After directing Shazam! and Shazam: Fury of the Gods, David F. Sandberg never expected to helm another IP-based film — and honestly, neither did anyone else. With his new movie Until Dawn approaching its theatrical release, he's now reflecting on the intense backlash from his earlier DC Cinematic Universe projects and what ultimately drew him back to franchise filmmaking.

Sandberg shared with GamesRadar+ that what attracted him to the script was its fresh approach. "The beauty of this adaptation is that it didn't attempt to recreate the game scene by scene. Condensing ten hours of gameplay into a two-hour film would have been impossible — but what we've created still delivers genuine scares while telling a new story." He acknowledged that fans of established IP are particularly passionate about how their favorite stories transition to the big screen.

"To be frank, fan reactions can sometimes become extreme. Following Shazam 2, I received death threats and seriously questioned whether I'd ever work on another franchise again," Sandberg revealed about his DCU experience. "The toxicity made it feel not worth the creative effort."

Ultimately, the compelling narrative of Until Dawn won him over. "When I read the script, I realized how much fun it would be to explore different horror elements within this framework. I knew I had to take the project, hoping audiences would appreciate our fresh interpretation. The writers' time loop concept is brilliant — it captures the game's essence of replayability and branching choices while offering something new. It truly honors the spirit of the original."

Sandberg understands the challenges of satisfying every fan during an adaptation, but believes his approach offers the best chance to win over Until Dawn enthusiasts. "A direct recreation would have inevitably drawn comparisons and criticism — different actors, compressed storytelling — you can't improve on the original game experience. That's a no-win scenario for any filmmaker."

Until Dawn features a screenplay by Blair Butler and Gary Dauberman (known for It: Chapter Two) and stars Ella Rubin. The film premieres in theaters on April 25, 2025.