The Highly Anticipated Sequel: I Am Legend 2 Revealed - Outdoing All Expectations!

Highlights

I Am Legend 2 will continue to explore themes of loneliness and survival, building upon the emotional story of the original film.

The sequel is expected to explore the alternate ending of the initial film, where the main character Neville survives. This will raise intriguing inquiries about conquering solitude and pursuing a cure.

In I Am Legend 2, the Darkseekers' threat might fluctuate. It could feature certain Darkseekers turning into allies, while others emerge as formidable adversaries, potentially including the character portrayed by Michael B. Jordan. Additionally, the sequel might delve into new settings outside of New York City.

In 2007, Will Smith starred as Dr. Robert Neville in the post-apocalyptic action thriller, I Am Legend, directed by Francis Lawrence. Neville, a virologist in the U.S. Army, becomes the sole survivor on Earth after a virus decimates humanity. In a desolate New York City, he fights to survive while combating aggressive, cannibalistic mutants known as Darkseekers.

I Am Legend achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success, paving the way for a potential prequel initially and now a confirmed sequel. Smith will reprise his role in the upcoming film, joined by Michael B. Jordan, known for his performance in Creed. It remains to be seen who Jordan will portray in the sequel and how it will surpass the original film's accomplishments.

What happened at the end of I Am Legend?

In the original theatrical ending, Dr. Robert Neville discovers that he is not the sole survivor on Earth and works to protect Anna and Ethan from invading Darkseekers. Using weaponry and explosives, Neville defends his home and laboratory, while also attempting to persuade the Darkseekers that a cure is possible. Ultimately, Neville sacrifices himself by giving Anna a sample of the cure and eliminating the Darkseekers with a grenade.

In the alternate ending, the Darkseekers launch an attack on Neville's lab. Neville notices that the leader of the Darkseekers creates a butterfly shape on a glass door, resembling a tattoo on the female Darkseeker's neck. Realizing their intention to retrieve her, Neville returns the female Darkseeker to the group and apologizes. As the Darkseekers depart, Neville reflects on his actions, viewing himself as a monster to those he experimented on.

Neville then decides to depart from his laboratory and accompany Anna and Ethan on a quest to locate the survivors' colony in Vermont. In contrast to Anna's monologue in the original conclusion, where she acknowledges Neville's sacrifice for finding the cure as legendary, she now utters the words "You are not alone" in the alternate ending. These words serve as a reflection of Neville's desire to change and move forward from his experiments, and Anna expresses her willingness to assist him in this endeavor.

Is I Am Legend 2 officially in the works?

Initially, director Francis Lawrence had originally mentioned that Will Smith was set to reprise his role as Robert Neville in a prequel that would delve into the events preceding the invasion of the Darkseekers in New York City, and document Neville's battle alongside his team against the infected. However, Lawrence eventually dismissed the idea of making the prequel, as he felt it would lack originality and cover similar themes of isolation and survival that were already explored in the first film. Additionally, there were contemplations to reboot the franchise, aiming to create a new beginning that would pay homage to the Western film "The Searchers".

In March 2022, it was officially announced that a sequel to I Am Legend is in the early stages of development. Smith will reprise his role as Neville, with the talented addition of Michael B. Jordan to the cast. Alongside their acting roles, both Smith and Jordan will be producing the sequel. There is a possibility that Lawrence will return to direct the film and Akiva Goldsman is set to write the script once again. While Jordan's character in I Am Legend 2 has yet to be revealed, speculations suggest that he might not portray a human but rather a Darkseeker. This choice would make him a formidable antagonist against Smith's Neville. Set decades after the events of the original film, the sequel is expected to continue the gripping storyline.

How can I Am Legend 2 improve on its predecessor?

One of the most exceptional post-apocalyptic features ever made is I Am Legend. What sets it apart is not only Will Smith's emotionally charged performance as the brilliant Neville, but also its exploration of the profound implications of solitude and the challenges of survival. The desolate streets of New York City serve as a vivid depiction of Neville's despair and isolation. I Am Legend 2 will inevitably delve deeper into these thought-provoking themes while simultaneously expanding on the narrative and drawing inspiration from Richard Matheson's 1954 novel, which shares the same title.

With the alternate ending of I Am Legend now being regarded as the primary conclusion, the continuation of Neville's story becomes compelling as he is alive instead of dead. It remains to be seen whether Neville has conquered his loneliness and how he plans to proceed with finding a cure for the virus. Furthermore, there is curiosity surrounding the potential return of survivors Anna and Ethan, as well as the depiction of the survivor's colony in Vermont, alongside Smith's Neville and Jordan's undisclosed character in the sequel.

Another aspect to consider is the level of threat posed by the Darkseekers, given that many of them spared Neville's life in the alternate ending. This outcome could offer hope for the future, as some Darkseekers might align themselves with Neville and other survivors. However, it is possible that other Darkseekers, potentially including Jordan's character, remain as villains with the intention of eradicating humanity. Exploring different locations beyond New York City could also shed light on how the virus has impacted other parts of the world. While there are numerous unanswered questions about the sequel, the combination of Smith and Jordan's talents suggests the potential for an outstanding I Am Legend 2, which could serve as the launch of an exciting new sci-fi franchise.