Director David F Sandberg has decided to move away from intellectual property (IP) based projects following the backlash he faced after 'Shazam' Fury of the Gods'. In an interview with GamesRadar, Sandberg opened up about how the intense negativity, including death threats from fans, deeply affected him. The experience left him questioning the value of working on existing franchises, leading to his decision to prioritize original or non-IP projects for the foreseeable future.
Reflecting on the toll of fan expectations
Sandberg, known for his work on 'Lights Out' and 'Annabelle: Creation', revealed that the passionate, and sometimes aggressive, fan culture surrounding superhero movies took a heavy toll. “After 'Shazam 2', I realized that working on IP-based movies just isn’t worth the emotional strain,” he admitted. Despite initially loving the character and the project, the negativity he encountered after the sequel’s release convinced him to rethink his career path.
New beginnings with 'Until Dawn'
Post, 'Shazam', Sandberg found a refreshing opportunity in the upcoming horror film 'Until Dawn', adapted from the popular 2015 video game. He expressed excitement about the project, particularly praising the script’s creative use of a time loop concept that mirrors the game's decision-based mechanics. For Sandberg, 'Until Dawn' represented a return to storytelling he genuinely enjoys, blending horror with inventive narrative techniques, without the baggage of established fan expectations.
A fresh take on a familiar game
Rather than trying to directly replicate the game’s experience, Sandberg appreciated that the script offered a fresh interpretation, maintaining the spirit of suspense and choice without attempting to cram a ten-hour game into a two-hour film. With 'Until Dawn' now in theaters, starring Ella Rubin and Michael Cimino, Sandberg looks forward to reconnecting with audiences on his own creative terms.
Reflecting on the toll of fan expectations
Sandberg, known for his work on 'Lights Out' and 'Annabelle: Creation', revealed that the passionate, and sometimes aggressive, fan culture surrounding superhero movies took a heavy toll. “After 'Shazam 2', I realized that working on IP-based movies just isn’t worth the emotional strain,” he admitted. Despite initially loving the character and the project, the negativity he encountered after the sequel’s release convinced him to rethink his career path.
New beginnings with 'Until Dawn'
Post, 'Shazam', Sandberg found a refreshing opportunity in the upcoming horror film 'Until Dawn', adapted from the popular 2015 video game. He expressed excitement about the project, particularly praising the script’s creative use of a time loop concept that mirrors the game's decision-based mechanics. For Sandberg, 'Until Dawn' represented a return to storytelling he genuinely enjoys, blending horror with inventive narrative techniques, without the baggage of established fan expectations.
A fresh take on a familiar game
Rather than trying to directly replicate the game’s experience, Sandberg appreciated that the script offered a fresh interpretation, maintaining the spirit of suspense and choice without attempting to cram a ten-hour game into a two-hour film. With 'Until Dawn' now in theaters, starring Ella Rubin and Michael Cimino, Sandberg looks forward to reconnecting with audiences on his own creative terms.
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