Until Dawn Writer Talks Honoring the Video Game, Easter Eggs, and More

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Gary Dauberman, who is a writer, producer, and director, can be held responsible for the scary dreams you have at night. He expanded the “Conjuring” universe by writing all three parts of the “Annabelle” series, which depicted the terrifying story of the porcelain doll. The third installment, “Annabelle Comes Home”, was also his first attempt as a director. Furthermore, he developed the backstory for the demonic nun Valak, who was introduced in “The Conjuring 2”, in the movie “The Nun”.

Not only did he make an impressive move, but he also transformed Stephen King’s chilling novel “IT” into a gripping cinematic experience. The story follows a group of unlikely heroes battling against a terrifying supernatural clown who terrorizes the town of Derry, Maine every 27 years. This movie was a tremendous success, earning over $700 million worldwide. Later on, Dauberman penned the sequel, “IT CHAPTER TWO” released in 2019, wrapping up the epic battle between good and evil.

In 2024, Dauberman wrote and directed “Salem’s Lot.” This was based on King’s novel from 1975, where a small town was gradually taken over by vampires. However, his latest project involves writing the recent film adaptation of the horror video game “Until Dawn.” In this movie, five young adults find themselves in a time loop, meeting grisly and gory ends each day. Their only hope to break free from this cycle is to survive until dawn.

In a recent interview, Dauberman discussed the gruesome deaths in Until Dawn, its hidden references, his thoughts on the upcoming live-action Gargoyles TV series, the Train to Busan remake, and other topics.

FilmMaker: Having written numerous films based on Stephen King’s novels, I encountered several challenges when transforming the video game Until Dawn into a feature film. Since this wasn’t a direct adaptation, determining which aspects of the game’s essence were essential for the movie was crucial. Key elements from Until Dawn that had to be integrated included its suspenseful atmosphere, character development, and the branching narrative structure.

On the other hand, there were certain components that I regretted couldn’t be included in the final product. These often revolved around interactive gameplay elements, such as the player’s choices affecting the storyline and outcomes, which are unique to video games but challenging to replicate on film.

Gary Dauberman: Blair [Butler] and I collaborated on writing this piece, and we faced difficulties because we chose not to simply replicate the video game’s storyline. Instead, our aim was to expand the franchise and delve into another narrative that fits within the game’s universe. This meant creating something fresh while ensuring it remained true to the elements of the game that resonated with us and its fans, as well as meeting the lofty standards set by the game. I found this task challenging.

When working on material related to Stephen King, the task becomes daunting because there’s so much high-quality content available, leaving you unable to include everything within a two-hour timeframe. This results in a difficult decision process, where you have to trim certain elements, making it feel like biting down on tough decisions. This experience is unique, as it requires you to create something entirely fresh, such as a new story or a new segment, that contributes to the larger narrative of what we hope the Until franchise will eventually become.

In essence, Dr. Hill is the common thread connecting the game and the film. He’s been my perception of the franchise’s iconic figure, much like Tony Todd’s character in Final Destination. He appears to be pulling the strings from behind the scenes. I believe there’s a richer narrative to be explored with his character. That was the primary connection. The less tangible concept revolved around Blair and my shared experience playing the game, the chills, the fear factor, and how cinematic it felt, along with the complex dynamics of the characters. We strove to preserve these elements from the game within the film, using a diverse cast of characters.

Video game enthusiasts often enjoy searching films for hidden references, known as Easter eggs. In the game ‘Until Dawn’, where might these Easter eggs be found? Could you share some of the ones you secretly included that you’re particularly proud of?

As a gamer, I’ve got to say there’s an awesome part where some intense research goes down in the basement. It’s packed with clever Easter eggs that connect back to the original game. What really caught our attention was having fellow gamers on the film crew who sneakily added details even the directors didn’t notice until pointed out. So, we were on a mission, ourselves, to find these nods. I reckon fans of the game will have a blast spotting all the hidden gems!

In that scene, several potential directions for the plot seem to have been subtly hinted at or foreshadowed, which adds an element of excitement as you try to fit everything seamlessly within it without making it feel contrived. It’s like they weren’t just randomly introduced but rather organically woven into the narrative.

Also, I noticed a few places in the current game that share names with characters from the initial installment. These connections were not immediately apparent to me. Lastly, there are a couple of newspaper articles strewn about in the basement area.

In a different tone, consider the following:

These movies – IT, The Nun, Annabelle – are all rated R. It seems like Until Dawn pushes this horror experience to an entirely new extreme. How intense was your journey with Until Dawn? Was there a death scene that haunted you so much it gave you nightmares? And what made it particularly terrifying?

Among the films I’ve worked on, this one stands out as particularly gory due to its intensely realistic violence and abundant use of blood. Like many “The Conjuring” movies, it earns its R rating for intense scares, but unlike them, there is no explicit language. However, what sets this film apart from others in the supernatural genre is its high body count. Five characters meet their demise multiple times throughout the movie, resulting in a significant number of grisly deaths. This elevates the violence to a whole new level, and even for a slasher-style movie like “Until Dawn,” the relentless killing of characters in various ways pushes the boundaries.

I have a strong affection for a particular body horror scene. Normally, body horror makes me feel uncomfortable in an exciting manner, but this one was exceptionally well done. The events unfold dramatically and visually, and I appreciate that David made an effort to execute it realistically. This attention to detail significantly enhances the impact of these sequences. It’s scarier because the actors are genuinely reacting to something they can see. This authenticity amplifies the frightening elements. However, let me clarify that despite enjoying this body horror, it still gives me the creeps.

Are you setting up stories for future sequels, and what other aspects of this series do you wish to delve into further?

Essentially, you’re focusing on creating a solid foundation. A key aspect is ensuring the initial film is of high quality. If the first film excels, there are numerous possibilities for further development. I don’t plan ahead by saying, “In the next installment, we’ll do this.” I prefer to wait and see. I aim to make this movie great, and if it resonates with audiences, they might be interested in more. We have ideas and concepts that didn’t fit into this project but could potentially work for a sequel.

Regarding the topic of adaptations, since we’ve discussed some of your Stephen King adaptations before, I’m curious about which of his novels you plan to tackle next. Do any of them seem particularly challenging or unapproachable to you?

To be honest, I’m content with the Stephen King novels I’ve already read. There doesn’t seem to be another one out there that isn’t set in a different location, and I can’t help but feel like I’ve explored most of his unique storytelling landscapes. I wonder if any of his works are truly untouchable? What do you think? Is there perhaps one that stands out as an exception?

I’m waiting for someone to tackle Insomnia.

It seems you’re unsure about how one might visualize something, as far as I know, someone attempted an adaptation but it hasn’t been done yet. It strikes me as quite surreal, making it a difficult project. The script for it was written years ago, and I recall reading it. Although it may not be unattainable, no one has tackled it so far. On the other hand, Joe Hill’s “Heart-Shaped Box” is a book that left a strong impression on me when it was first released. At the time, I thought he was a new talent akin to Stephen King. It turned out his father was King, but I enjoyed not knowing that at the start. What puzzles me is why this book hasn’t been adapted for screen or stage.

Have you collaborated with David Sandberg, the director of Annabelle: Creation, on Until Dawn as well? Did the two of you discuss potential plans for the demon doll in future projects?

The decision about creating another film largely falls upon New Line and James Wan, with you being occasionally included in the discussions. However, the power to greenlight a sequel doesn’t lie with us. I certainly hope they do, given how fantastic this franchise is. Beyond expressing our joy working together on Creation, we didn’t delve too deeply into other topics. Our shared enthusiasm for that movie was the driving force behind our reunion; we had an amazing time making it.

Was the decision behind transforming the popular animated series, Gargoyles, into a live-action remake influenced by a specific thought process?

It seems to me we’ve got the essence of our animated series nailed down. The cartoon is exceptional, and that’s what captured our hearts. I believe it has potential for an engaging live-action adaptation. However, I also recognize the challenges that lie ahead. We’re in discussions with some talented individuals. Yet, we plan to maintain the same dark undertones. I’m eagerly awaiting the live manifestation of our animated creations.

Is this tale derived directly from a particular TV show, or is it an independent creation, possibly an origin story?

I’m not ready to discuss the details just yet, but trust me, I’m eager to do so. The idea of adapting this particular project makes me feel like Disney might give me a stern talking-to due to my enthusiasm. I’m a huge fan of the show and find it incredibly rich in content.

I want to steer our conversation towards my plans for adapting Stephen King works and Until Dawn, and how one requires inventing new elements while the other allows for more faithful adaptation. To put it simply, if you enjoy the show, you’ll be pleased with my approach as I’m not aiming to re-invent the wheel in this case.

As a fan myself, I’m equally thrilled that we’re working on Last Train to New York, the remake of Train to Busan. The Big Apple setting offers a unique opportunity to infuse the zombie outbreak narrative with a distinct flavor. One iconic sequence from the original that I can’t wait to recreate and share with the audience is… [without revealing too much!]

As a gamer hailing from Philly, that corridor isn’t just a geographical feature for me – it’s a part of my past. I’ve ridden the train numerous times, traversing routes from DC to New York. The sheer mass of humanity on those journeys never fails to amaze me.

However, let me tweak this script slightly, making it more personal and engaging. Here goes:

“Growing up in Philly, that corridor wasn’t just a pathway; it was the backdrop to my life story. I’ve boarded the train multiple times, traveling between DC and New York. What always strikes me is the human tapestry unfolding before my eyes.

In Korea, public transportation is treated differently – it’s a system that’s so much more integrated into daily life. This script is something I’m incredibly proud of, as it allows me to share a glimpse of these contrasting experiences.

Instead of providing particular details, let me explain that there are a few key moments I’m focusing on. The primary concern is conveying the powerful emotion present in the first scene. While there may be some direct comparisons, the emotional depth and character development in the initial scene are truly exceptional and should not be altered. They have managed to portray it brilliantly, so my goal is to maintain that essence as much as possible.

Until Dawn is in theaters now.

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2025-04-28 23:12