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Director David F. Sandberg Reflects on Backlash Following ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’
In a candid interview, David F. Sandberg, the director of the Shazam! films, shared his experience of navigating intense criticism from fans after the release of Shazam! Fury of the Gods. He revealed that the backlash extended beyond typical feedback, with some viewers expressing their displeasure through “death threats.” This extreme reaction from a portion of the DC fanbase left Sandberg contemplating a retreat from large-scale projects based on established intellectual properties.
Sandberg confessed to GamesRadar+, “Honestly, fans can be incredibly passionate and sometimes go a little too far. After Shazam 2, I pondered, ‘I never want to work on another IP-based movie again because it just doesn’t seem worth it.’ Then, amidst the turmoil, I was presented with a script for Until Dawn, and I felt drawn to it. The idea of diving back into horror, a genre I love, was irresistible. It was exciting to think about all the creative possibilities.”
Having directed both of the existing Shazam! films, Sandberg saw considerable success with the first installment released in 2019, which garnered $367.8 million at the box office against a $100 million budget. However, the follow-up film faced significant challenges, collecting only $134.1 million worldwide since its launch in early 2023.
The upcoming film Until Dawn will mark Sandberg’s return to horror since his superhero excursion. He has previously articulated his preference for storytelling that stays true to the spirit of source material, stating that he was drawn to this project because it didn’t attempt to merely recreate the game or condense its extensive narrative.
Until Dawn, co-written by Blair Butler and Gary Dauberman, follows the journey of Clover and her friends as they attempt to uncover the mystery of her sister Melanie, who disappeared a year earlier. Their quest leads them into a harrowing scenario where they are murdered, only to restart in a continuous time loop, forced to face a new killer with each iteration of their nightmare.
‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ Results in Mixed Reactions
As for Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the film received a mixed bag of critical feedback. It registered Sandberg’s lowest critic score on Rotten Tomatoes at 49%, yet scored well with audiences, achieving an 85% rating. Critics pointed to its issues with plot originality, tonal inconsistencies, and character development, while others praised it for its entertaining and imaginative execution.
Reflecting on the movie’s reception, Sandberg noted his surprise at how viewers responded. Despite the divisive opinions, he expressed interest in returning to his horror roots after spending time in the superhero realm. His initial foray into filmmaking began with low-budget horror short films under the alias “ponysmasher,” with his 2016 feature adaptation of Lights Out marking a successful debut.
While Sandberg’s work has spanned notable titles such as Annabelle: Creation and Shazam!, there are currently no plans for a third installment featuring Zachary Levi’s portrayal of the beloved DC character. The landscape of superhero films continues to evolve, and Sandberg’s next chapter remains to be seen.
Source: GamesRadar+
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