Director David F. Sandberg, known for helming the "Shazam!" series, recently opened up about his negative experiences within the DCEU while promoting his new film, "Until Dawn."
He revealed that due to fan dissatisfaction with the movies, he received multiple death threats and at one point decided to stop taking on projects based on existing IP.
"Honestly, fans can get really crazy and really angry sometimes," Sandberg said in an interview with GamesRadar+. "After 'Shazam 2,' I was like, ‘I don’t want to do any more IP movies. It’s just not worth it.’"
Released in 2019, "Shazam!" brought a humorous and lighthearted style to the then-somber DCEU, earning critical acclaim and grossing over $360 million worldwide. However, its 2023 sequel, "Shazam! Fury of the Gods," failed to continue that success. The film faced a cold reception at the box office, earning only about $130 million globally and putting immense pressure on the director.
Following the film's release, Sandberg announced he was taking a break from superhero movies and hoped to distance himself from the intense online discourse. He admitted that the period made him want to step back, prompting his decision to return to his roots in the horror genre.
While Sandberg seems to have little interest in comic book adaptations for now, his new project "Until Dawn" remains a major focus for fans. The film is an adaptation of the 2015 horror game of the same name, and the director says he was drawn to the script's creativity, hoping the project will showcase his sincere return to horror.
"I really hope that people can see the love that we've put into it and that they enjoy it," Sandberg stated. As "Until Dawn" heads toward its release, all eyes are on whether he can win back audiences and move past the negative shadow of his previous experience.
via： GamesRadar+