Warner Bros. Somehow Planning Another I Am Legend for Will Smith
At one point following the critical and commercial success of his 2007 post-apocalyptic blockbuster I Am Legend, director Francis Lawrence entertained the notion of coming back with star Will Smith for prequel, but eventually that possibility trailed off and Lawrence casted doubt onto his involvement with the potential project. But today Warner Bros. announced a deal with Akiva Goldsman and Overbrook Entertainment, who have tapped screenwriter Arash Amel to write a follow-up to the $584M hit. Whether or not it'll be a prequel or some sort of direct sequel is unknown, though it's reportedly being created for Smith. Let's speculate away: Just how WB can possibly pull off another installment?
What makes the project a curious -- and, frankly, conspicuous -- one is the way in which Lawrence wrapped up I Am Legend, based on Richard Matheson's 1954 sci-fi novel. [Spoiler alert] Following a global pandemic that wiped out 90% of the world's population, scientist Robert Neville (Smith) had only just discovered a cure when, at the film's conclusion, he faced an onslaught of mutated vampire-people solo and seemingly met his own demise.
Of course WB wants their star and his famously potent box office draw to headline another I Am Legend movie. A prequel would explain Smith's presence most easily, but Deadline suggests that won't be the case. So how might they bring Smith back otherwise? Retcon the last scene in the first film, using the alternate ending in which Neville makes grudging peace with the vampire thingies? Maybe the survivors colony has cloning capabilities? Hell, why not bring in a long-lost twin brother for Neville who became a brilliant virologist as well - I Am Also Legend?
Whatever it turns out to be, at least it has a shot at being "one of the greatest movies ever made," amirite?
Warner Bros Plans More ‘I Am Legend’ With Will Smith [Deadline]
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Comments
If it's a prequel will they call it: "I Will Be Legend?"
"Critical success"?
Ha - well, it has a 69% Tomatometer. For what it was I consider that a rousing success.
Yeah, screw Django Unchained! I'm sure this will allow him to really flex his artistic muscles.
Between the weak CG monsters, product placement (a default for Will Smith flicks) and mixed up ending, I don't know many people that actually liked that movie.
I dunno, the first half, maybe even two-thirds was one of the best things I saw that year. The third act totally shit the bed, but I'd hate to think that invalidates the whole film.
I'm a big fan of the alternate ending, with Smith's character confronting his "immoral" acts, and giving way to his "legend" status.
The original theatrical release had me feeling a little ripped-off at his easy exit. The alternative ending has him confront his actions against the human alternates and ultimately survive.
If the film makers continued from the alternative ending then a great continuation could be possible...
Actually, the main character dying is what gives him 'legend' status in the book.
Screw that! How about an I Robot sequel. I admit to still wondering if Sonny is truly evil. Hmmmm. Sorry that has nothing to do with Mr. Smith.
Lame unrealistic hollywood crap!! All the bunkers and weapons in the area...WAIT!! Then there would be NOOO movies for dumb stupid 'no child left behind' to star in, guess the smart people WILL survive any problems!!
Here's my idea on how to fix it...
Have the last scene be a dream, he wakes up just before the vamps close in then use your alternate ending as the jumping point into a sequel.
This is whole lot better than cloning, twin brother, etc.
Or we go back in time and stop the writer from using the word "retcon" as though it was not only an actual word but also a word that required no explanation because he assumes, like him, we are all pimple faced, cellar dwelling virgins and who is also just fine using the coined noun as a verb which further stops the reader in his tracks, fumbling around with the urban dictionary only to discover that any number of combinations of actual words would have gotten the meaning across without jerking the reader out of the story but, of course, would not sound quite so inside and with it.
Yeah, that's kinda a pickle. Kinda makes you wish they'd used the book ending instead, huh?