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Thursday
31Jul2008

Director Confirms 'I Am Legend' Prequel

DateThursday, July 31, 2008 at 11:09AM
There was a little anti-Will Smith backlash after I Am Legend started to amass huge numbers last winter. It wasn't as big as the Hancock backlash, but either way, I didn't get it. I thought I am Legend was taut, suspended our disbelief pretty well, and had a very good action movie performance by Smith.

It was a good blend of science and fiction and it was a smart re-telling of Richard Matheson's 1954 classic book. Yeah, it had differences, but part of that is just the passage of time and part of it is turning a great written work into a great visual. It's not as easy as just filming the novel.

Almost immediately after its release, there was talk of another film, be it a sequel or a prequel, which had to make those who railed against the film and its star grind their teeth. A sequel, while it would answer a few questions, just isn't as interesting as going back to the beginning, finding out how civilization declined so rapidly, as Smith explains in a speech he delivers to Sonia Braga late in the first film. And at Comic Con, director Francis Lawrence confirmed that a prequel is revving up and that Will Smith will return.

”Absolutely (there will be a prequel), we’re actually trying to crack that," said Lawrence, according to Shock Till You Drop. "We’re trying to figure out some ideas for it, but yes, it would be a prequel.”

Doesn't sound like there's much gray area there. The rule on sequels or prequels is simple: Is there more to the story? And while Dr. Robert Neville described some of the events that led to what he thought was the end of civilization (and it was also illustrated on a personal level in his dreams), I think the hysteria around an event like that would be pretty compelling stuff. But how would this new storyline sit with Richard Matheson?

"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)," Lawrence said. As long as the author understands the changes that were made to his story and is happy with the outcome of that, I could only suppose that he wouldn't be opposed to the same creative unit using the book as a jumping off point to cover new ground.

Let's just hope Lawrence and the writers keep their eye on the prize and give us the prequel I Am Legend deserves and not some blowhard action movie that hangs onto the story by a thread. I'm confident it won't be that way, but stranger things have happened when follow-ups are involved.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , , , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | Comment6 Comments |

Reader Comments (6)

The thing that made I am Legend worthwhile was the decent execution of the last-man-on-Earth-scenario. With a prequel that aspect is lost altogether. Wonder what they can do with the Outbreak/zombie virus scenario that hasn't been done already? I'm sure better CGI is on everyone's list. Also, how would you create tension and suspense when the audience already knows what will happen in the end?

Thursday, July 31, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterHenry Oak

How would you create tension and suspense when the audience already knows what will happen in the end? People seem to love "Heroes" and "Lost", don't they?

Saturday, August 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterHenry Tudor

"how would you create tension and suspense when the audience already knows what will happen in the end?"
that would make titanic a sure flop, or every movie about an actual event.

Saturday, August 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commentertom connor

I never fell into the whole "Will Smith backlash." I like Will Smith. Here's what I didn't like:

The movie entitled "I am Legend."

I never read the book, so I am not a purist. The movie just wasn't very good. The CGI zombie/cannibals were unconvincing and zombie apocalypse scenario has been done over and over again. The movie gave no reason for the scenario to work this time other than Will Smith as the main protagonist instead of a cast of unknowns and Ving Rhames. I think a Hancock sequel/prequel would actually be much more interesting than another "Will Smith vs. the Zombies."

Thursday, August 21, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterBuddy

"as Smith explains in a speech he delivers to Sonia Braga "
She's not Sonia Braga. Her name is Alice Braga!
Sonia Braga is her aunt.

Friday, September 26, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterRafael

You might want to change the name of the actress that Will Smith delivers his speech to near the end of the *first* movie - it's <B>ALICE</B> Braga - <B>NOT</B> her aunt, Sonia. :)

Saturday, October 25, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterBethC

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