The director of Shazam! has inked a deal to helm Until Dawn, an adaptation of the horror video game from PlayStation, in collaboration with Screen Gems and PlayStation Productions. All three entities are part of the Sony corporate family.
Gary Dauberman, known for his work on successful horror franchises like It, Annabelle, and The Nun, is revising the script for Until Dawn. The original screenplay was penned by Blair Butler, who previously wrote Sony’s vampire thriller, The Invitation.
Dauberman, who recently secured a first-look deal with Screen Gems and Sony for horror films, is producing Until Dawn through his Coin Operated banner. Joining him as producers are Sandberg and Lotta Losten through their Mangata company, as well as Roy Lee from Vertigo Entertainment, and PlayStation Productions’ Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan.
First launched in 2015, Until Dawn is an interactive horror video game that centers around eight friends and foes gathering at a secluded mountain retreat. Faced with life-or-death situations involving a mysterious killer, cannibalistic wendigos, a cable car, and a haunting mining cave-in from the past, the group must confront their fears to survive the night. The game emerged as an unexpected success among critics and garnered multiple nominations for gaming awards.
The logline for the film adaptation remains shrouded in mystery, concealed deep within the caves. However, Screen Gems characterizes it as an R-rated homage to the horror genre, emphasizing its focus on an ensemble cast.
Heading the project for Screen Gems are recently appointed head Ashley Brucks, along with Michael Bitar. Dan Primozic from Screen Gems facilitated the acquisition of rights and guided the dealmaking process for this project.
PlayStation Productions has been expanding its lineup in recent years, with adaptations of popular gaming titles like The Last of Us, Gran Turismo, and Twisted Metal transitioning from consoles to both the big and small screens.
Meanwhile, Gary Dauberman has completed an adaptation of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot, which he both wrote and directed for Warner Bros. Additionally, he is working on a live-action version of the 1980s animated series Gargoyles for Disney+.
Sandberg began his career making horror shorts in his native Sweden, and one of his films, Closet Space, drew attention in Hollywood. He made his feature debut with Lights Out, a low-budget success for New Line Cinema. Following this, he directed Annabelle: Creation, a film in the Conjuring horror universe written by Gary Dauberman, which received praise from both critics and audiences, earning $305 million worldwide on a $15 million budget. Sandberg then brought his horror expertise to his first DC movie, Shazam! in 2019, a superhero film praised for its coming-of-age themes. He recently directed Shazam! Fury of the Gods, released as part of the 2023 superhero lineup.
