Spoilers for the original I Am Legend
Almost a year ago, we heard that an I Am Legend sequel was in the works with original star Will Smith and adding Michael B. Jordan. The post-apocalyptic zombie movie came out in 2007 and Smith’s character dies in the end, although there’s an alternate ending on the DVD where he survives. If you’re not familiar with it, go here for a recap. I’m jazzed for this sequel, which we heard about before the Oscars last year. We didn’t know that Smith would be endlessly apologizing for defending his wife and that his decades-long career would be in jeopardy after that. The good news is that the sequel is still happening and that Smith’s character, virologist Neville, survives! The story follows the alternate ending and is set decades after the first. Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman told Deadline that he’s “obsessed” with new HBO series The Last of Us and wants to show “how the earth reclaims the world.”
The screenwriter behind Will Smith and Michael B. Jordan’s upcoming sequel to 2007’s I Am Legend is taking some cues from the popular HBO series The Last of Us.
On Wednesday, Akiva Goldsman told Deadline that the sequel “will start a few decades later than the first,” though he did not clarify Jordan’s role in the story.
“I’m obsessed with The Last of Us, where we see the world just post-apocalypse but also after a 20-, 30-year lapse,” Goldsman said. “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.”
The filmmaker added that “the possibilities are endless” for the I Am Legend sequel as he spoke about working with the 1954 novel of the same name by Richard Matheson.
“We trace back to the original Matheson book, and the alternate ending as opposed to the released ending in the original film,” Goldsman told the outlet. “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,” he added.
You know I love the zombie and post apocalyptic genre. The Last of Us is phenomenal, particularly for the settings but especially the characters. It’s way too sad though, and I’ve heard that will continue if it follows the game. Last week’s episode had me vowing to stop watching, although I doubt I’ll stick to that as I’m invested now.
Getting back to this news, I’m so happy that an I Am Legend sequel is still happening! Will is so good in this role and he can definitely do drama. (If you haven’t seen I Am Legend yet it’s on HBO Max. King Richard is there too!) Goldsman wrote the original I am Legend and he also did the screenplays for A Beautiful Mind and The Dark Tower. I have hope that this will be a solid sequel, especially with the addition of Michael B. Jordan. As much as Goldsmith admires The Last of Us though, I want happier endings for the characters. Like don’t introduce secondary characters and get us attached only to kill them off. And for God’s sake don’t kill any dogs! Now I need to read the book.
photos credit: Avalon.red and via Instagram
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