The film industry is often marked by a rollercoaster of emotions, and for director david f. Sandberg, this was particularly evident in the aftermath of the release of Shazam! Fury of the Gods. In an interview with GamesRadar+, Sandberg revealed that the movie received a substantial amount of negative feedback from DC fans, leading to “death threats” and a desire to abandon blockbuster movies. However, a script for the video game horror adaptation until dawn changed his mind.
David F. Sandberg directed both Shazam! movies for the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The first film was released in theaters in 2019 and was considered a box office success, grossing $367.8 million worldwide against a $100 million budget. The follow-up film, which came out in 2023, failed to take flight, with a global haul of $134.1 million.
- Shazam! Fury of the Gods
- Shazam!
Despite the polarizing reactions to the second Shazam! film, Sandberg admitted to being “a little surprised” by the reception at the time. He expressed a desire to return to his horror roots after his superhero detour. The early days of Sandberg’s filmmaking career saw him working on several no-budget horror short films under the online pseudonym “ponysmasher.” One of those projects, lights out, received a feature film adaptation in 2016, which became Sandberg’s feature-length directorial debut.
“I mean, to be honest, fans can get very, very crazy and very angry with you. You can get, like, death threats and everything, so after Shazam 2, I was like, ‘I never wanna do another IP-based movie because it’s just not worth it. But then I was sent this script, and I was like, ‘Ah, this would be so much fun to do, to do all these kinds of horrors? I kind of have to do it, and hope that the people see what we’re trying to do and like it.'”
Sandberg’s decision to pursue Until Dawn was motivated by the script’s unique approach. Unlike other horror films, Until Dawn wasn’t trying to recreate the game or condense 10 hours into two. Instead, it offered a fresh take on the survival horror genre. This approach resonated with Sandberg, who saw the potential for a compelling narrative.
The movie, written by Blair Butler and Gary Dauberman, begins “one year after Clover’s sister Melanie mysteriously disappeared. Along with her friends, Clover heads into the remote valley where she vanished, in search of answers. They find themselves horrifically murdered, only to wake up and find themselves back at the beginning. Trapped in an endless time loop, they’re forced to relive the nightmare again – only each time, the killer is different.”
In an interview, Sandberg discussed his journey as a filmmaker and the choices he’s made. He highlighted the importance of taking risks and being open to new opportunities. By embracing his passion for horror, Sandberg was able to find a sense of fulfillment and purpose in his work.
Key Points About David F. Sandberg’s Career
- Directed both Shazam! movies for the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
- Helmed feature films such as Lights Out, Annabelle: Creation, Shazam!, and Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
- Worked on several no-budget horror short films under the online pseudonym “ponysmasher.”
- Started his career with the feature film adaptation of Lights Out in 2016.
In conclusion, David F. Sandberg’s journey as a filmmaker is marked by a series of creative choices and challenges. Despite the negative feedback he received after the release of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Sandberg persevered and pursued a new project that aligned with his passion for horror. By taking risks and being open to new opportunities, he was able to find a sense of fulfillment and purpose in his work.
