Director David F. Sandberg, known for his work on Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation, has expressed his desire to return to the horror genre after Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Sandberg’s next project is now confirmed to be an intriguing feature adaptation of the interactive drama horror video game, Until Dawn, released in 2015.

The upcoming film, under the direction of Sandberg, is set to be produced by Screen Gems and PlayStation Productions. Gary Dauberman, the writer behind Annabelle and The Nun, is taking on the task of refining the script, originally penned by Blair Butler, known for The Invitation.

Gary Dauberman, with an upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot and a live-action version of the 1980s animated series Gargoyles for Disney+ in the works, signed a first-look deal with Screen Gems and Sony last year. Although Salem’s Lot lacks a confirmed release date and there are talks of a potential streaming release, the prolific writer and producer continues to expand his horror portfolio.

The production team includes Dauberman producing under his Coin Operated banner, alongside Sandberg and Lotta Losten through their Mangata shingle. Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment, as well as Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan of PlayStation Productions, are also on board as producers.

Until Dawn, originally a video game developed by Supermassive Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 4, offers a gripping narrative. Players control eight young adults fighting for survival on Blackwood Mountain, with the game’s butterfly effect system allowing choices to influence the storyline. The fate of each playable character hinges on the decisions made by the players, creating a dynamic and immersive experience in which exploration and discovery play crucial roles in solving the mystery.

While plot specifics remain undisclosed, the upcoming movie adaptation of Until Dawn is expected to mirror the game’s elements, featuring a mysterious killer and cannibalistic Wendigos. Screen Gems has characterized the film as “an R-rated love letter to the horror genre,” with a focus on an ensemble cast. The storyline details are being kept tightly under wraps for now.

Drawing inspiration from the game, the movie is anticipated to delve into the chilling narrative that made Until Dawn a standout in the horror genre. The ensemble cast will play a pivotal role in bringing this vision to life.

The game’s voice cast, including Hayden Panettiere as Samantha Giddings, Peter Stormare as Dr. Hill, Rami Malek as Joshua Washington, Brett Dalton as Michael Munroe, Meaghan Martin as Jessica Riley, Galadriel Stineman as Ashley Brown, Noah Fleiss as Christopher Hartley, Nichole Bloom as Emily Davis, Jordan Fisher as Matthew Taylor, Antonella Lentini as Hannah and Beth Washington, and Larry Fessenden as The Stranger, contributed significantly to the immersive experience of the original material.

Despite the anticipation surrounding the project, no official release date has been disclosed yet, leaving fans on the edge of their seats as they await further details about this thrilling R-rated cinematic endeavour.