As excitement for Sony’s upcoming adaptation of Until Dawn grows, we have some interesting news regarding the video game adaptation. At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, the company’s film division revealed that the film will not be a direct adaptation of the popular game, instead featuring new elements for unfamiliar audiences.
The game, which recently got a remaster courtesy of Sony, follows eight teens vacationing in a cabin on a mysterious mountain, a year after two of their friends disappeared. Menaced by a psychopath, the kids must survive until sunrise (and help) arrives. While that sounds like a perfectly good basis for a horror film, it seems like Sony thinks otherwise, and will be incorporating not only new story elements, but also new characters.
According to IGN, Ashley Brucks, president of Sony's Screen Gems, says that “the key to successful adapting these games comes down to one thing: respecting the source material. Our close collaboration with PlayStation Productions gives us and our filmmakers the advantage of working directly with the creators of the game.” She continued, promising that director David F. Sandberg is keen on respecting the original game while also building on it:
“It's a careful balance of trying to identify and incorporate what the fans love about the game and the experience as well as offering something fresh and exciting to entice newcomers. In adapting Until Dawn, filmmaker David F. Sandberg, who is a big fan of the widely acclaimed game, took the essence of what makes the game great and selected elements we think are the most important to the fans and paid homage to it in the right way. We then built out Until Dawn's universe, using the core premise of a group of friends who encounter a variety of terrifying threats to tell a new story that is truly visceral and horrifying.”
Peter Stormare, who played Doctor Hill in the original game and is also set to appear in the film, also appeared at the presentation, and said that Sony’s planned approach will be ideal for both dedicated fans of the franchise as well as newcomers.
“I have been lucky to be part of Until Dawn since the original, incredible, super terrifying game, and that's why I’m so excited to be part of this film, because the whole thing is a love letter to horror, and it completely honors the spirit of the game,” he said. “The movie is going to be full of fresh characters and victims in a brand new story loaded with twists, so whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering it for the first time, get ready for Until Dawn like you’ve never seen it before.”
The Until Dawn film also stars Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, Ji-young Yoo, Maia Mitchell, Belmont Cameli, and Odessa A’zion, and hits theaters on April 25.
