Will Smith’s performance as the human protagonist in “I Am Legend” in 2007 solidified his status as one of Hollywood’s most endearing and dependable movie stars. The movie, a loose adaptation of the same-titled 1954 Richard Matheson book, is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the majority of people have either perished or been transformed into vampire mutants known as Darkseekers. The film follows Dr. Robert Neville, played by Will Smith, as he searches for a treatment for the sickness that changed the planet and, perhaps, connects with other human survivors. Dr. Neville is the only person left in an infested Manhattan.
When it was released in December 2007, the movie was a box office hit, making over $585 million globally (according to BoxOfficeMojo), and both reviewers and average moviegoers gave it largely favourable reviews. The movie presently has identical Tomatometer and audience ratings of 68% on Rotten Tomatoes. Now, more than ten years after the original movie’s debut, Will Smith is slated to star in a “I Am Legend” sequel, but he isn’t the only well-known actor involved.
Everything we currently know about “I Am Legend 2” is listed below.
I Am Legend 2 will unite two major movie stars
Early in March, Deadline claimed that Will Smith has agreed to executive produce and star in the “I Am Legend” sequel. Shortly after the rumour surfaced, Smith appeared to confirm it on Instagram when he shared a picture of the first movie’s post-apocalyptic Manhattan. In addition to Smith, Michael B. Jordan, who starred in “Creed” and “Black Panther,” will also appear in the sequel. Jordan will also executive produce the movie with Smith.
The sequel starring Jordan and Smith will be written by Akiva Goldsman, who also co-wrote the “I Am Legend” adaption from 2007. As of this writing, it is unknown whether “I Am Legend” director Francis Lawrence will also return to helm the follow-up or if another director will wind up occupying the director’s chair for the sequel. The movie does not yet have a specific release date, and its narrative is still unknown at this time.
In response to a question about the news in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Smith declined to reveal any major story points but described the movie’s concept as “a very, really interesting notion.” Additionally, he added, “I was going to leave that [movie] alone.” Smith acknowledged that after really hearing the detailed pitch for the sequel, he soon had second thoughts. But Smith answered, “That might work. I believe we can achieve that.
It seems safe to expect that more information about “I Am Legend 2” will start to surface soon given the involvement of two major performers like Smith and Jordan.
How might Dr. Neville return?
How Smith will appear in the future movie is likely one of the developments that “I Am Legend” fans are most interested in learning about, especially in light of his character’s apparent demise at the end of the first movie. There haven’t been any storyline specifics for the movie disclosed as of yet, although there is obviously opportunity for speculation.
One solution might involve using a combination of flashbacks and anti-aging technologies to restore Dr. Neville to his pre- or mid-apocalyptic appearance. The first three years following the Krippin Virus outbreak are probably still full of tales to be recounted. Smith, of course, is no stranger to Hollywood’s anti-aging techniques given his role in the 2019 movie “Gemini Man,” in which Smith’s character faces off against a younger version of himself (via IMDb). However, this can be one of the more formulaic strategies that authors could use.
A different conclusion to the 2007 movie’s original story might also bring Dr. Neville back to the big screen. In the “I Am Legend” theatrical version, Dr. Neville makes a selfless effort to preserve a treatment for humanity’s future. This scene appears to be very clear-cut. The theatrical version ends with Dr. Neville having passed away. But diehard moviegoers will also undoubtedly recall an alternative ending that was offered on the DVD (via YouTube).
The alternate ending is praised for being more faithful to the original material in addition to being well received online (via CinemaBlend). This conclusion offers Dr. Neville the chance to make peace with the Darkseekers he has been trying to “treat” for so long, as opposed to coming to a dramatic sacrifice. Dr. Neville abandons his work and his house after realising that his experiments have actually turned him into a monster. Dr. Neville decides to join a group of human survivors in Vermont after accepting his new reality.
How might Will Smith’s slap affect I Am Legend 2?
By the time the 2022 Academy Awards rolled around, “I Am Legend 2” was still in its early stages of production. Naturally, as everyone is aware of at this point, Will Smith struck Chris Rock during the ceremony when the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and her alopecia. How would the slap affect “I Am Legend 2” given that it has halted many of Smith’s ongoing projects, some of which were already in post-production?
Nothing has been said regarding the sequel’s status as of this writing (via People). The film’s development was initially covered by Deadline, although the director hadn’t even been chosen. It’s uncertain who will want to direct the project in the wake of the slap, but it’s feasible that this production may be put on hold until the slap’s intensity subsides a little.
Early in March, Deadline claimed that Will Smith has agreed to executive produce and star in the “I Am Legend” sequel. Shortly after the rumour surfaced, Smith appeared to confirm it on Instagram when he shared a picture of the first movie’s post-apocalyptic Manhattan. In addition to Smith, Michael B. Jordan, who starred in “Creed” and “Black Panther,” will also appear in the sequel. Jordan will also executive produce the movie with Smith.
