New Story for the Until Dawn Movie
The film opens in cinemas on April 25
The film adaptation of the popular horror game "Until Dawn" is sure to be eagerly anticipated by fans. Sony has now announced that we can look forward to a completely new storyline, but it will be set in the same universe as the game.
David F. Sandberg, who has already worked on a number of horror movies such as "Lights Out" and "Annabelle 2", is taking over as director. Sandberg is an avowed fan of the game, which was released for the PlayStation 4 in 2015 and is now also available as a remake for both the PS5 and PC. The screenplay is by Gary Dauberman, who was also responsible for the scripts for "It" and "The Nun".
The game tells the story of eight friends in a remote mountain cabin who experience a night of horror – including a mysterious killer, dangerous monsters and an eerie mine. The question now is which elements of this will also be included in the film's own story.
With the exception of Peter Stormare, the cast mainly consists of new faces, including Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino and Maia Mitchell. The 2015 game originally featured more famous names such as Hayden Panettiere and Rami Malek.
At CES 2025, the audience was also shown initial teaser images that hint at the dark atmosphere of the movie. A first trailer should therefore not be too long in coming. The "Until Dawn" film will be released in cinemas on April 25.
The Career of David F. Sandberg: From YouTube Filmmaker to Hollywood Director
David F. Sandberg is a Swedish filmmaker who has made a name for himself through his unusual rise from YouTube short film director to successful Hollywood director. His career is an inspiring example of the power of the internet and personal talent to make big dreams come true.
The Beginnings in Sweden
David F. Sandberg was born on January 21, 1981 in Jönköping, Sweden. He showed an interest in film and animation at an early age. He started out as an animator and worked on smaller projects before devoting himself to the production of short films. Together with his wife Lotta Losten, who often appeared in his early films, Sandberg began making experimental horror films with limited resources.
The turning point came in 2013, when Sandberg published the short film "Lights Out" on YouTube. The film, which is only three minutes long, tells a simple but effective horror story about a creature that only appears in the dark. Shot on a minimal budget, "Lights Out" quickly gained worldwide attention and was viewed millions of times. The creative execution and dense atmosphere won over audiences and film producers alike. The short film ultimately became the ticket to Sandberg's Hollywood career.
The Breakthrough With "Lights Out"
After the success of "Lights Out", Hollywood took notice of Sandberg. Producer James Wan, known for horror blockbusters such as "The Conjuring", showed interest in Sandberg's work. Wan offered him the opportunity to adapt the short film into a feature-length film. Although Sandberg had no experience in major feature film productions, he seized the opportunity.
The feature film "Lights Out" was released in 2016 and proved to be a box office hit. The film, which was produced on a budget of just 4.9 million dollars, grossed over 148 million dollars worldwide. Critics praised Sandberg's ability to create suspense with limited resources and he was hailed as a promising newcomer to the horror genre.
Further Success with "Annabelle 2"
Following the success of "Lights Out", Sandberg was invited to direct "Annabelle: Creation", a prequel to "Annabelle" and part of the "Conjuring" universe. The movie, which was released in 2017, was another success. With a budget of 15 million dollars, the film grossed over 306 million dollars. Sandberg once again proved his talent for creating intense and terrifying moments and cemented his reputation as an up-and-coming star in the horror genre.
A Leap Into the Superhero Genre: "Shazam!"
After two successful horror films, Sandberg ventured into a genre shift and took on directing the superhero film "Shazam!", which was released by Warner Bros. and DC Films in 2019. The movie is about a teenager who is transformed into an adult superhero by a magic word. With its humorous tone and family-friendly focus, "Shazam!" was very different from Sandberg's previous work. Nevertheless, he still managed to add his signature style, especially in the darker scenes that reveal his roots in horror.
"Shazam!" was another huge success for Sandberg, grossing over 366 million dollars worldwide. The movie was praised for its blend of humor, heart and suspense, proving that Sandberg is not limited to a single genre.
Return to Horror and Upcoming Projects
In 2023, Sandberg returned with "Shazam! Fury of the Gods", the sequel to his superhero film. In addition to his work on major studio movies, he has continued to show interest in smaller, experimental projects. Sandberg has expressed in interviews that despite his success in Hollywood, he would like to return to his roots in indie filmmaking.
His active presence on social media and platforms such as YouTube also sets him apart from other directors. There, he regularly shares insights into his working methods and inspires aspiring filmmakers worldwide. With his passion for storytelling and commitment to creative projects, Sandberg remains an exciting director whose career continues to gain momentum.