Francis Lawrence Confirms I AM LEGEND Prequel

[GreenScar]

Source

Man, it just keeps on coming from ComicCon (and the sequel machine that is Hollywood).

(Note: If you haven't seen it or read the book, the next sentence will probably spoil both.) A prequel would be the most obvious because it would mean that Will Smith could return as Dr. Robert Neville, and we'd be able to see more of the time in between the virus being unleashed in New York and where the first movie picks up the story.

"Yes, yes, absolutely, we're actually trying to crack that. We're trying to figure out some ideas for it, but yes, it would be a prequel." He did confirm that Will Smith, who's done a couple of sequels in his career, would definitely be into doing more with the character.

That led directly into Lawrence sharing some interesting ideas that might go into making the proposed prequel: "In the prequel, it's slightly different because it's earlier. We were three years later so we did a lot of research into the way nature would have sort of overtaken the city, with the cracks in the streets and the weeds, so if it's just back earlier, it'll be slightly different so the approach will be different. We're not positive of the time of the year, because if you go in winter, you can do some entirely different kinds of things."

As far as getting Richard Matheson's blessing on this prequel, Lawrence commented, "I'm sure we'll definitely keep him involved in the prequel just in terms of updating him and inviting him to read the script and see what he has to say. Matheson was very happy (with the first movie). It was a great moment when we showed him the movie. He had read the script and I invited him when we were done to see the movie and he brought his family, and I called him when we were on the international junket in Japan and I was really nervous, because it's an adaptation and it's different, and he knew along the way, it's Richard Matheson. He really loved it and I had this great letter from him about it."

[bone crusher]

i'd be very interested to see this movie.

[Blufury]

"I Will Be A Legend One Day"

[johnno1986]

Could be really interesting if done well. Would definitely see it.

[theprophecy247]

sweet good ish

[WriteSimply]

Actually I wouldn't call this movie as "confirmed". It's not even in prepro. It's just the exploration of the idea of a prequel. Money will change hands for the scriptwriters of course but whether it'll actually go into prepro, that's another matter.


fuad

[GreenScar]

Joblo has an update on this:

It's been rumored/threatened for a while, but Warner Bros. and the principal talent are apparently going through with a prequel to the hit post-apocalyptic thriller I AM LEGEND.

The prequel will tell the story that someone out there (probably the accountants) must have wanted, chronicling the days leading up to New York's invasion by hemoglobin-sucking, rubbery-looking CGI mutants. Smith is expected to return to the role of military scientist Robert Neville, because if you can't be prepared for a sudden outbreak of bloodthirsty nocturnal nasties, you'd better be Will Smith.

Francis Lawrence will again direct, despite there being dozens of better things to apply his visual skills and Smith's star power. Writer D.B. Weiss is working on a script. I wonder how it will end?

The original movie, an adaptation of Richard Matheson's vampire story, revolved around the last living person in a Big Apple brimming with hideous man-monsters, the result of a catastrophic worldwide plague.

Variety is also reporting on this.

[fsavoie]

Replace vampire by zombies and you have Resident Evil

[Moefiz]

I wouldn't mind seeing this.The flashback scenes in I Am Legend was pretty interesting.

[TheForce8686]

This would be great. I am Legend was awesome.

[scott87]

i think this will work really well if done right and im quite excited for it...i loved the first one...so more like that will be a plus

[Crim122]

cool? I guess ill see it. I Am Legend was pretty boring imo

[mikejet]

This could be epic and show all out wars in New York and around the world. Hopefully World War Z gets made before this though.

[jmartinez]

loved the first one, actually watched it for the first time about two months ago, if a prequel is made that's great.

[alexakajeff]

The first was bad, we don't need another.

[brett_day]

he does not confirm anything....he says they are looking into the possibility of it, not exactly a confirmation.

[J_UNTITLED]

Originally Posted by alexakajeff

The first was bad, we don't need another.

Except for Will Smith's performance, I agree.

[newguy7]

Wonder what it will be called...

"I am not legend, yet!"

[Anthony P]

don't know how I feel about this. I think there are too many ways it can go wrong and too few that it can go well that