In a move that has left fans both excited and puzzled, the upcoming “I Am Legend” sequel is set to bring back Will Smith's character, Dr. Robert Neville, despite his apparent demise in the original film. The 2007 blockbuster, directed by Francis Lawrence, grossed close to $600 million worldwide, making a sequel an enticing prospect for Warner Bros.
For those who have seen the original film, the ending left little doubt about Neville's fate. However, the film's alternate ending, which was initially removed due to negative test audience feedback, is now being used as the canonical conclusion. This alternate ending was later included in the two-disc special edition DVD released in 2008, offering a different trajectory for Neville's story.
Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman recently confirmed at a ComicCon panel that the sequel will follow this alternate ending, where Neville survives and continues his experiments on the Darkseekers. “We're sequelizing the alternative cut,” Goldsman stated, adding that there will be “some good news shortly” about the sequel.
Last year, Will Smith hinted at this plan, telling Screen Daily that they were “going with the mythology of the DVD version.” The sequel was officially announced by Warner Bros. in March 2022, with Smith set to reprise his role. This announcement left many fans wondering how Neville could return, given his fate in the original film. Now, it's clear that the sequel will simply pretend the original ending never happened.
Joining Smith in the sequel is Michael B. Jordan, who will co-star and co-produce the film. Goldsman, known for his work on “A Beautiful Mind,” “Cinderella Man,” and “Constantine,” has written the screenplay. With such a talented team behind the project, expectations are high for the sequel to live up to the original's success.
While the exact release date for the film has not yet been announced, the anticipation is building. Fans of the original “I Am Legend” can look forward to seeing Will Smith's Dr. Robert Neville back in action, continuing his quest to save humanity from the Darkseekers. Stay tuned for more updates as the project develops.
In the meantime, revisiting the original film and its alternate ending might be a good way to prepare for the upcoming sequel. The twist in the storyline is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, eager to see how Neville's journey unfolds in this new chapter.
