Shawn Levy may be known for his creative and attention-grabbing films. However, the director recently gave fans a peek at his ability to stun audiences in any genre. While he has previously given fans action and adventure films that starred Ryan Reynolds, he chose to go down a different road for his new Netflix limited series, All the Light We Cannot See. Although the mini-series was as thrilling as his usual work, this time Levy stepped into the world of adaptations.

Now, just a few days after the four-episode series made its way onto the platform, Shawn Levy has shared the reason behind his sudden genre experimentation.

The reason Shawn Levy took up All the Light We Cannot See

While the world is still waiting for an update on Shawn Levy’s upcoming Deadpool 3, the director recently gave his fans something they could bide their time with. Earlier this year, it was announced that he would be teaming up with Netflix to bring Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer-winning book, All the Light We Cannot See, to life. In an interview with People, Levy opened up about why he chose to direct the series of the same name. He said it was “a very different kind of storytelling” and that he was “drawn” to it.

The 55-year-old revealed that he chose a more serious approach as most of his films “tend to have a pretty warm heart at its center.” However, his new series showed a whole different side to the lighthearted film director. With a story that focused on a blind girl becoming a huge part of the French Resistance during World War 2, Levy showed the world that he could do anything he set his mind to.

However, he also revealed that he had no plans of making it truly his until he read the book.

Shawn Levy’s change of heart

In the same interview, Shawn Levy revealed that he did not plan to direct the whole series initially. Just like with Stranger Things, the director thought he could “produce the show” and “maybe direct an episode.” However, all of that changed when he read the novel. While the first draft did not have much of an impact on him, he said reading it made him realize he “needed to do it all” by himself.

Thankfully for his fans, the director chose to put his heart and soul into the miniseries and chose the stunning cast of Aria Mia Loberti, Louis Hoffman, Mark Ruffalo, and even Hugh Laurie to bring in that emotional touch that he is loved for. The series came out on 2nd November and has blown away everyone who has watched it.

What do you think about Shawn Levy’s reasoning behind the genre change in his latest project, All the Light We Cannot See? Let us know in the comments below.