Big updates on the I Am Legend sequel have come from producer Akiva Goldsman.
In a recent, lengthy interview with Deadline timed to the announcement of his first-look Warner Bros. deal, Goldsman says the film will use the original movie’s alternate ending as its launchpad.
The 2007 hit film ended with Will Smith’s character Dr. Robert Neville, sacrificing his life to protect two survivors and promising a cure for the virus that infested the world and turned people into Darkseekers.
The film’s DVDs had an alternate ending of Neville witnessing the emotions of the Darkseekers and escaping to freedom.
Goldsman, who is serving as co-writer and producer of the film, told Deadline, “We trace back to the original Matheson book, and the alternate ending as opposed to the released ending in the original film.”
He continued, “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.”
The producer also added that a current HBO series influenced the notion of reviving Richard Matheson’s post-apocalyptic world.
“This will start a few decades later than the first. I’m obsessed with The Last of Us,” he said.
He continued, “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.”
Jordan also joins the team as a producer.
Goldsman didn’t reveal how Jordan will fit into the storyline.
View this post on Instagram
The original film grossed over $585 million for Warner Brothers.
The production company trusts that Goldsman can create the same movie magic as it is signing on to revive 2005’s Constantine, starring Keanu Reeves.
Goldsman serves as the sequel’s writer.
