Tag: I AM Legend

  • ‘I am Legend’ Sequel Will Ignore the Film’s Original Ending

    ‘I am Legend’ Sequel Will Ignore the Film’s Original Ending

    I Am Legend will return with a sequel starring not only Michael B. Jordan but will also see the return of Will Smith. In the original film that was released all the way back in 2007, Smith‘s character sacrificed his life. So, many wondered how exactly the film will tackle that original storyline with this sequel.

    In an interview with Akiva Goldsman, who is returning to Warner Bros. in a new multi-year first-look deal, he revealed to be involved with the upcoming I Am Legend sequel alongside the long-awaited Constantine sequel starring Keanu Reeves once again. In it, he teased what we can expect a return to that world a decade later and compares it to the recent success of The Last of Us.

    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.

    Akiva Goldsman

    That is not all, as he also reveals that the upcoming adaptation will just ignore the official ending of the film and jump straight into the alternative ending featured on the physical release. He also highlights they are set to “trace back tot he original Matheson book” potentially hinting at the Vampire-aspect being featured more.

    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

    Akiva Goldsman

    It’s definitely a curious decision to just ignore the ending most people watched in theaters. So, it may leave viewers quite confused but it definitely was a better ending and gives them the opportunity to have Will Smith return in the iconic role. Still, this may backfire potentially if viewers are just scratching their heads and wondering if this is some kind of cloning storyline.

    Source: Deadline

  • Will Smith Returns to ‘I Am Legend’ With Michael B. Jordan Joining Sequel

    Will Smith Returns to ‘I Am Legend’ With Michael B. Jordan Joining Sequel

    In a surprise move, it looks like Warner Bros. is set to revive the I Am Legend franchise. A new film, acting as a sequel to Will Smith’s 2007 original, is in development with the actor signed on to return. In another shocking development, Michael B. Jordan will star in the film alongside Smith, with both acting as producers on the project. Akiva Goldsman, who wrote the first film, will also return for the second installment.

    As you can expect, there’s no word on what the story might explore or how it even ties into the initial storyline. The film was quite the departure from the original novel, especially with the depiction of its core “monsters who were more zombie-like while they were vampires. It’s also unsure how it’ll explore the tie difference since the release of the original back in 2007, which was directed by Francis Lawrence.

    Currently, no director is attached to the project and it’s unclear how far the script might already be. There’s not a lot more to explore from Richard Matheson‘s book, and the film can unshackle itself from those expectations. So, we’ll see if more details follow once they also add more to the cast – if at all. For now, it’s great to hear that this classic franchise is making a return and we’ll see how they tackle the future once it releases.

    Source: Deadline

  • Warner Bros. Working on a New ‘I Am Legend’ Project

    Warner Bros. Working on a New ‘I Am Legend’ Project

    Sometimes there are some fun surprises hidden away in corners of articles about something completely unrelated. In a new piece by The Hollywood Reporter on an ongoing legal battle between Village Roadshow and Warner Bros. on the future of their franchises. In it, they reveal that a new I Am Legend adaptation is seemingly in development, as the article talks about films currently in development involving both parties.

    Sadly there is no mention of how far the project is moving along, but it seems to imply it’ll be released as a film. It’s just a short mention alongside other projects currently in development co-owned by Village. The reason this is highlighted is that the company is seeking the rights to co-invest and co-own projects they share the rights with Warner Bros. This has become a prevalent issue with their goals of further promoting HBO Max by releasing half their film slate on the streaming platform, which may also include this release.

    I Am Legend has been adapted quite a few times in the past, and it would be interesting to see how they’d update a new take. For some, the version including Will Smith might be the version most remember, as he tries to survive a post-apocalyptic world with his trusty dog by his side. It was an emotional story that is sure to connect with many viewers and given the current situation might’ve garnered even more relevance.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter