It was announced that Will Smith would return for the I Am Legend sequel with Michael B. Jordan cast as his co-star before the iconic Oscar slap occurred. Sadly, not much more was mentioned after that initial bit of information was made public. Francis Lawrence, who directed the first movie, provided an update, and in it, he was open about what he knew about Will Smith's much-anticipated sci-fi sequel.
Given how his film ended, Francis Lawrence has previously been against an I Am Legend sequel. Of course, Warner Bros. was free to develop a fresh concept for the property despite his objections. Currently, Lawrence is not set to direct the sequel, which has been stuck in development limbo for a while. He has spoken with Akiva Goldsman, the writer of the first film, despite not being involved with it. The acclaimed director revealed the sequel's status in an interview with Comicbook.com, and fans may not find it thrilling:
"I have spoken to Akiva [Goldsman] a little bit about it, but I think that is still aways away. I'd love to do it. I've heard some things about I Am Legend. We don't have much, just brainstorming things for Constantine, but I'm sworn to secrecy on I Am Legend"
Francis Lawrence
So, regrettably, it appears that the movie's progress has somewhat stalled. However, there is some good news in that Francis Lawrence appears interested in helming the picture should everything work out. The production would have a solid piece of creative continuity if he were to land the job.
I Am Legend 2 still raises a lot of problems from a narrative perspective. Could Michael B. Jordan's character and Robert Neville, played by Will Smith, maybe be related? When will the events of the first installment occur? Before or after? There's also the question whether the mutants from the night will still be shown. Though it is possible, some people might have doubts about Smith's Neville's potential return.
One can consider the alternate ending of I Am Legend, in which Neville arrived at the camp of the survivors after surviving the finale's fatal bomb. To make this a true sequel, the producers might retroactively borrow ideas from that final scene. However, if this is handled improperly, it may confuse some movie goers.
Francis Lawrence is presently preoccupied with the Constantine sequel, though he is at least thinking about that endeavor. Keanu Reeves will reprise his role as the adored supernatural detective in that WB production, marking his comeback. The sequel will be directed by the writer and director of Water for Elephants, Akiva Goldsman.
Everyone involved with I Am Legend 2 and the first movie is still busy, but fans are waiting to learn more about them. Francis Lawrence has also been extremely active. He is currently preparing for the November 18 release of his fantasy adventure, Slumber land, on Netflix. Lawrence has finished filming The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the sequel to The Hunger Games. The anthology series The Crowded Room, created by Akiva Goldman, will be accessible with an Apple TV+ subscription. Additionally, Will Smith is preparing for the December 9 Apple debut of his film Emancipation.
The I Am Legend sequel may take some time to get going. One can only hope that the movie will get moving sooner rather than later in some way. Until then, an HBO Max membership can be used to access the first film.
