The 2015 survival horror Until Dawn is the latest in a glut of videogame to film adaptations. It’ll be directed by the chap who did Shazam!
All arguments about its merits as a film aside, the huge commercial success of Universal’s Five Nights At Freddy’s seems to have formed the blueprint for IP-hungry studios in a world where endless sequels and superhero films are no longer a sure thing.
Following a year where conventional Hollywood ‘wisdom’ was turned on its head, the conversation continues as to what will be the next sure-fire money maker for studios: movies about toys or products? Projects based on video games? Maybe even original stories containing bold ideas made by talented filmmakers?
Naturally, we’re all hoping for the latter but of course, studios are keen to cover all of their bases, and in the wake of Five Nights At Freddy’s huge commercial success (it grossed almost $300m from a $20m production budget), it seems that horror video games are the current sweet spot for studio executives, combining the established name value of a well-liked video game with the enduring popularity of the horror genre.
Just yesterday we learned that psychological horror Martha Is Dead is set to get the adaptation treatment while Sony’s PlayStation Productions banner is pressing ahead with a second season of The Last Of Us and also developing a film version of its other major zombie survival horror title, Days Gone. Naturally, Universal also has plans for a follow-up to Five Nights At Freddy’s too.
But that’s not all. It’s been revealed today (via The Hollywood Reporter) that Sony is also developing a film version of Until Dawn, the 2015 ‘cabin in the woods’-style horror game that impressed players with its branching narrative paths and cinematic visuals. Screen Gems is co-producing with PlayStation Productions and Shazam! helmer David F Sandberg is on board to direct.
Gary Dauberman, the screenwriter behind such horror mainstays as It, Annabelle and The Nun is taking a pass at the script and Screen Gems is describing it as an ‘ R-rated love letter to the horror genre, focusing on an ensemble cast.’
While it might sound odd, the movie is going to have to go some way to some way to top the original cast of the videogame. Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek appeared, as did Scream 6′s Hayden Panettiere and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Brett Dalton, all playing as hunted teens trapped in a remote cabin.
Best of all, the mighty Peter Stormare (of Fargo fame) also featured in a nightmarish and haunting role that fans of the game will surely remember. If there’s one actor from the game that should be asked to take up a role for the film, it has to be Stormare. Hopefully, the team behind the movie feel the same way.
We don’t have any details regarding production at the moment but PlayStation Productions seem to move quickly, although its increasing number of projects in development could mean that things start to slow down as it adds ever more projects to its huge slate. We’ll bring you more on Until Dawn as and when we hear it.
