Warner Bros. announced a sequel to I Am Legend in March 2022, featuring the return of Will Smith and the addition of Michael B. Jordan. Smith and Jordan were also attached as the producers. The King Richard actor recently disclosed an important plot detail that explains the direction the sequel may take. Smith revealed that the sequel is considering the DVD version of the 2007 film as the canonical one.
For those unfamiliar, I Am Legend shot two different climactic endings, one where Will Smith’s character Robert Neville survives and the other where he dies. The ending where he survives was not well-received by test audiences, leading to the release of a different theatrical cut.
Will Smith Confirms The Sequel Will Follow The DVD Version Of I Am Legend
During a session at the Red Sea International Film Festival, Will Smith answered the audience’s questions about the highly anticipated I Am Legend sequel. One of the biggest updates that the Focus actor provided was that the script for the sequel was completed. Smith also revealed plans for a meeting with Michael B. Jordan for the film the following day.
Smith confirmed another speculation about the premise of the sequel. The Emancipation actor shared that the sequel would exist in the world of the DVD version, where the character survives. In the theatrical version, Smith’s character sacrifices himself to save fellow survivors, Anna and Ethan. However, in the DVD version, he abandons his experiments and heads along to the survivor’s colony with Anna and Ethan. Will Smith shared (via ScreenDaily):
“I have a call with Michael B. Jordan tomorrow. The script just came in. I’m probably giving away too much information. We’re going with the mythology of the DVD version where my character lived. I can’t tell you anymore but Michael B. Jordan is in and we’re doing it.”
The sequel will likely explore how Dr. Robert Neville resumes his experiments on the Darkseekers. Besides Smith, the studio also brought back writer and producer Akiva Goldsman for the film. The first film was directed by Francis Lawrence, but a director is not yet attached to the sequel project.
Plans For I Am Legend 2 Began Back In 2008
In 2008, director Francis Lawrence wanted to make a prequel project since a sequel was not possible with the theatrical cut’s ending. The plot would have explored events before the infected took over New York. Will Smith also expressed interest in the prequel, however, the crew struggled to develop a compelling storyline. Lawrence announced in 2011 that the prequel was no longer in development.
However, in 2012, Warner Bros. announced that another installment was being planned with the Bad Boys actor. The studio initially intended to reboot the project, but it never materialized. There were no further updates until 2022 when the currently developing sequel was announced. Smith’s production house, Westbrook Studios, and Jordan’s production house, Outlier Society Productions, will produce the project.
Also Read: 3 Box Office Records of Will Smith That Even Robert Downey Jr. Will Struggle to Break
I Am Legend was a critical and commercial hit, grossing $585.4 million at the global box office. The film is now available for streaming on ViX.
