It has been over 15 years since Will Smith took to the big screen in the 2007 hit film, I Am Legend. According to sources, Warner Brothers will be developing a brand new sequel for the film. Will Smith will be reprising his role as Robert Neville and producing the film, as well. Additionally, Warner Brothers added Michael B. Jordan to the cast and producers list. His recent history of filmography includes, but is not limited to, Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Creed I-III, and Just Mercy.
Akiva Goldsman adapted the famous Richard Matheson novel from 1954 in 2007. He will be returning to write the film’s sequel. When speaking to Deadline this week, Goldsman explained that the follow-up to I Am Legend is possible after all these years. Fans recall that in the first I Am Legend film, Smith’s character, Robert, dies saving the cure. So, that begs the question: how could he possibly be returning to screens? The answer comes from the film’s alternate ending.
“I Am Legend”
In the alternative ending to I Am Legend, Dr. Robert Neville lives on in the universe of the film. Goldsman explained how the film will work in a statement. He said, “This will start a few decades later than the first. I’m obsessed with The Last of Us, where we see the world just post-apocalypse but also after a 20-30-year lapse. You see how the earth reclaims the world, and there’s something beautiful in the question of, as man steps away from being the primary tenant, what happens? That will be especially visual in New York. I don’t know if they’ll climb up to the empire state building, but the possibilities are endless.”
Goldsman added, “We trace back to the original Matheson book, and the alternate ending as opposed to the released ending in the original film. What Matheson was talking about was that man’s time on the planet as the dominant species had come to an end. That’s a really interesting thing we’re going to get to explore. There will be a little more fidelity to the original text.” I Am Legend‘s sequel is one of Warner Bros.’ top priorities as they reunite with Goldman’s company to create films. The pair will additionally create an upcoming sequel to Constantine, starring Keanu Reeves.
[Via]