David F. Sandberg Considering Exit from IP Movies After Shazam 2 Backlash

Director David F. Sandberg, known for his work on Shazam! and its sequel, considered leaving IP-based films after facing intense criticism and even death threats from fans following Shazam! Fury of the Gods' disappointing reception. Sandberg expressed disillusionment with the superhero genre and originally wanted to return to horror, which he did with Until Dawn, a film adaptation of the 2015 survival game. Despite his reservations about working on another IP project, he was drawn to Until Dawn by its innovative time loop storytelling and the opportunity to explore various horror tropes and practical effects. Sandberg emphasized that the film is not a direct adaptation of the game, but rather a continuation that expands its universe, a creative decision he felt fans would ultimately appreciate, despite some backlash over changes like the absence of snow. He noted that a direct adaptation would likely have been criticized for not matching the game's quality or casting the original actors. Until Dawn is now in theaters and expected to perform well at the box office.