Until Dawn producer: 'We didn't want to retell the game's story' | BBC News

Until Dawn Movie Adaptation: Key Insights

Key Concepts:

• Cinematic video game adaptation
• Expanding game lore vs. retreading the story
• Dr. Hill as a central character
• Time loop mechanic and restarting the night
• Subgenres of horror
• Practical effects
• Definitive movie version vs. multiple endings
• Collaboration with Supermassive Games (developers)
• Faithful character representation
• Friendships and relationships
• Peter Stormare's role and commitment
• Fan expectations and reactions
• Expansion of the Until Dawn universe

Adapting a Cinematic Game: Challenges and Creative Choices

The primary challenge in adapting "Until Dawn" was avoiding a simple retelling of the game's story, which was already highly cinematic and well-executed. The creative team, including writer Gary Doberman and director David F. Sandberg, aimed to expand the lore and world of the game instead. They focused on telling a new story that would complement the existing narrative.

• Expanding the Lore: The decision was made to bring back Dr. Hill, a fan-favorite character, and explore his story further.
• Avoiding Repetition: The team wanted to avoid the movie feeling repetitive, especially with the game's mechanic of replaying the night with different choices.
• Exploring Horror Subgenres: The concept of "every night is a new nightmare" was developed, dropping the characters into different horror movie scenarios each night. This allowed for the exploration of various horror subgenres within a single film.

Time Loop and Game Mechanics

The game's "choose your own adventure" mechanic, where choices dictate the story's outcome, was considered but ultimately rejected for the movie adaptation.

• Containment: The time loop concept was used to contain the narrative and prevent the movie from splitting into multiple diverging storylines.
• Definitive Version: The director preferred a single, definitive version of the movie rather than multiple endings, drawing a comparison to the various cuts of "Blade Runner" and the desire for a clear, canonical version.

Collaboration with Supermassive Games

The filmmakers engaged in extensive conversations with Supermassive Games, the developers of "Until Dawn," to understand their vision for the game's universe and potential future installments.

• Lore Exploration: Discussions focused on the game's lore, characters, and overarching myths.
• Creative Input: Supermassive Games provided valuable insights and feedback on the movie's script and ideas.

Character Representation and Relationships

The filmmakers emphasized the importance of faithfully representing the characters and their relationships, which are central to the game's appeal.

• Character Quirks: The characters in the movie are designed with distinct quirks and personalities, similar to the character descriptions in the game.
• Friendships and Connections: The goal was to create a sense of investment in the characters and their relationships, mirroring the emotional connection players feel in the game.

Peter Stormare's Role and Commitment

Peter Stormare, who played Dr. Hill in the game, reprised his role in the movie.

• Commitment and Professionalism: Stormare was praised for his commitment to the role and his willingness to engage in even the most challenging scenes.
• On-Set Atmosphere: Stormare's presence helped to lighten the mood on set and make the stunts less serious.

Fan Expectations and Reactions

The filmmakers acknowledged the passionate fanbase of "Until Dawn" and addressed concerns about the movie not being a direct adaptation of the game's story.

• Expansion vs. Retread: The decision to expand the universe rather than retell the same story was seen as a way to offer fans something new and avoid the pitfalls of a direct adaptation.
• Addressing Concerns: The filmmakers recognized that some fans might be disappointed by certain changes, such as the absence of snow, but emphasized that the movie still captures the essence of "Until Dawn."

Practical Effects and Horror Elements

The movie embraces practical effects to create a visceral and immersive horror experience.

• Full-On Horror Extravaganza: The director aimed to create a "full-on practical effects horror extravaganza."
• Specific Example: The worm scene involved a fake neck and cheek, with a worm on a cord controlled by someone off-screen, creating a realistic and disgusting effect.

Conclusion

The "Until Dawn" movie adaptation aims to honor the spirit of the game while forging its own path by expanding the lore, exploring new horror subgenres, and focusing on character relationships. The filmmakers collaborated closely with the game developers and embraced practical effects to create a unique and engaging horror experience for both fans of the game and newcomers. The key takeaway is that the movie is intended as an expansion of the "Until Dawn" universe, offering a fresh perspective on the established world and characters.