Will Smith and Michael B Jordan will both appear in the I Am Legend sequel, which was just announced.
The original film, based on Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel of the same name, was released in 2007. Will, 54, and Michael, 36, co-starred in the post-apocalyptic thriller with Emma Thompson and the former’s daughter and singing phenom Willow Smith.
Will, who was given a 10-year ban from the Academy Awards after striking Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Oscars event, will return as virologist Dr Robert Neville.
Dr. Neville was one of the few survivors after a virus infected 99% of the world’s population in the first film, and he (spoiler warning) dies in order to save fellow characters Anna (Alice Braga) and Ethan (Charlie Tahan).
However, for the sequel, producer Akiva Goldsman will draw inspiration from the hit TV show The Last Of Us by exploring an alternate ending a few decades later in which protagonist Dr. Neville does not die.
‘We track back to the original Matheson novel and the alternate conclusion as opposed to the released ending in the original film,’ Akiva told Deadline.
‘This [sequel] will start a few decades later than the first,’ he clarified.
‘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.’
The possibilities are truly limitless, as the original was a box office success, generating $585.4 million (£485 million) on a budget of $150 million (£124 million).
This follows the 2022 Oscars, when the Bad Boys star won best actor for his depiction of Richard Williams, father of tennis legends Venus and Serena, in King Richard.
The event devolved into chaos when Will came to the stage to physically confront presenter Chris after he made a joke about the former’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia.
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air star eventually apologised to the comic, saying he was “embarrassed” by the entire situation.
‘Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,’ Will began in an Instagram post.
‘My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.’
He continued: ‘I would like to publicly apologise to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.’
‘I would also like to apologise to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologise to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family.
‘I deeply regret that my behaviour has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.’
He concluded: ‘I am a work in progress.’
Source My Celebrity Life.