The Latest Film Adaptation: Until Dawn
The newest video game adaptation gracing the big screen is Until Dawn. Interestingly, director David F. Sandberg almost walked away from the project. In a recent conversation, he opened up about his initial hesitations, which stemmed from the intense backlash he faced after the release of his superhero film, Shazam: Fury of the Gods, including receiving death threats.
“Fan reactions can escalate quickly, and I experienced that firsthand after Shazam 2. It made me wary of diving into another IP-based project due to the negativity,” Sandberg revealed in an interview with GamesRadar.
Despite his initial doubts, Sandberg found himself captivated by the script of Until Dawn, ultimately deciding to take on the challenge. What particularly piqued his interest was the film’s innovative narrative structure, in which characters find themselves in a time loop, confronting various terrors each night.
“I was genuinely impressed by how the writers incorporated the time loop concept, which mirrors the gaming experience of making different choices. It really captures the spirit of the game,” Sandberg explained.
Although some fans voiced their disappointment over the film straying from the game’s original storyline, Sandberg stood by the creative choices made, pointing out the difficulties of a direct adaptation.
“Attempting to recreate the game scene for scene would likely lead to criticisms. Audiences would inevitably compare it to the original and find it wanting. It felt like a no-win scenario,” he argued.
With a budget of approximately $15 million, Until Dawn is now showing in theaters and is anticipated to earn around $10 million in the US this weekend, based on current box office predictions. So, whether you’re a devoted fan of the game or simply seeking an exhilarating movie experience, don’t miss the chance to see Until Dawn on the big screen.
