The movie I Am Legend, directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Will Smith, stands as one of the great successes of his career, grossing an impressive 585.4 million dollars at the box office. However, its alternative ending has generated controversy and curiosity among science fiction fans. While the ending shown in theaters is tragic, with the sacrifice of the protagonist, Robert Neville, the original ending reveals a radically different perspective.
Unexpected Changes
In the story, Neville is a virologist and the only survivor in a New York devastated by a virus that transforms people into vampire-like creatures. During his daily struggle for survival, he discovers that he is not completely alone when he encounters a woman and a child. However, his new discovery leads him to an outcome in which he must sacrifice himself for their well-being.
Will Smith revealed on the Drink Champs podcast that the alternate ending, where Neville survives and realizes that he himself is the true monster, was booed during a test screening, which led the producers to modify it just six weeks before the release.This ending, where Neville captures the leader of the infected and ultimately delivers a cure, contrasts sharply with the tragic ending that remained in the final version.
It has recently been confirmed that a sequel to I Am Legend is in production, featuring Will Smith and actor Michael B. Jordan. This new installment will be based on the original ending in which Robert survives, developing a story that promises to explore new dynamics and challenges in a post-apocalyptic world. The writing for this project will be handled by Akiva Goldsman, who aims to revisit the elements that made the first film a cultural phenomenon.
