Shazam Director Reveals “Crazy” and “Angry” Fans Sent Death Threats Over DC Movies

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In an open conversation during the promotion of his latest project, “Until Dawn,” director David F. Sandberg, known for directing “Shazam!”, speaks candidly about his time in the DC Extended Universe. He discloses that he faced threatening messages from upset fans. Reflecting on what attracted him to “Until Dawn,” Sandberg highlights the captivating script and its innovative adaptation of the video game’s narrative. Interestingly, there was a phase where he wouldn’t have considered directing this movie due to his past experiences in the DCEU. Post these challenging encounters, Sandberg decided against taking on any more projects based on pre-existing intellectual properties, as he found managing fan reactions not worth the trouble.

As a movie critic, I must confess that the passion fans exhibit can reach boiling points, turning into intense anger towards creators. After wrapping up Shazam 2, I found myself pondering, “Should I steer clear of any more IP-centric films? The potential risks aren’t worth it.” However, when I received this exceptional script, I was drawn in by the tantalizing prospect of delving into these horrors. I can’t deny that I feel compelled to bring this vision to life, hoping that the audience appreciates our efforts and enjoys the result.

As a die-hard fan, I’ve got to say that Sandberg directed not one but two Shazam! movies within the DCEU. The first one dropped in 2019 and left quite an impact, raking in a whopping $367.7 million globally on a budget of just $100 million. It was hailed by critics as a fun breath of fresh air for the franchise, but it seems Shazam! turned out to be a one-time sensation on the silver screen. The follow-up, Shazam! Fury of the Gods in 2023, however, didn’t fare quite as well, struggling both critically and commercially. Unfortunately, this sequel only managed to gross $134.1 million worldwide, a far cry from its predecessor’s success.

Following the release of “Shazam! Fury of the Gods”, Sandberg expressed that he’s “stepping away from superheroes for now,” indicating his longing to revisit his horror genre background. He also disclosed his intention to “detach from online discussions about superheroes,” suggesting that such conversations had affected him negatively.

Fervent fan groups have kept franchises such as Marvel, Star Wars, and DC thriving for many years, yet it’s understandable why creating within these universes might feel overwhelming for a filmmaker. Enthusiasts are constantly hungry for news about upcoming projects and scrutinize even the tiniest details. Whilst this level of excitement can propel a movie like Shazam! to success, some fans may cross the line. With such expansive fan bases, it’s virtually impossible for a director to satisfy everyone. However, there exists a significant distinction between critiquing a film and threatening the life of its creator. Everyone is entitled to their perspective, but they should express it in a polite manner. This issue isn’t exclusive to superhero films; something similar unfolded during the development of Scream 7 as well.

It seems that Sandberg appears to have had enough of comic book adaptations, which is unfortunate given his success with Shazam!. One can only imagine what he could do with a different character in the future, possibly something darker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or DC Extended Universe. For now, we’ll have to wait and see how gamers respond to his adaptation of Until Dawn. The movie does deviate from its source material, which could be problematic for fans depending on the execution. Let’s hope Sandberg doesn’t encounter more threats due to the game’s players.

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2025-04-23 23:13