Cinematography legends. Because this science-fiction horror film, although it was made only in 2007, is already cult for many. Ideally – as you can see – he hit people’s fears and hopes. It’s still up to date (and still great to watch).
It is actually a theater of one actor – Will Smith. It is he, as a lonely military virologist in the post-apocalyptic world, who attracts the attention of viewers. He lives in a wasteland full of ruins and virus-infected zombies and mutant dogs that fear only the sun. We know over 5 billion people have died, and he is the loneliest man on Earth.
The film tells, nomen omen, about a virus that destroys humanity so effectively that few people are left alive. And it starts, as usual, with playing god. Dr. Krippin announces that she has invented a cure for cancer. It is a modified measles virus, which unfortunately turns out to be very virulent and kills humanity in a short time. Neville is somehow immune to it, and lives alone. The only company he has is a German Shepherd and shop mannequins. A group of Seekers of Darkness is waiting for his life …
Warner Bros. already in the early 1970s he bought the rights to Matheson’s book. The first film work began in the 1990s. Actors such as Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Douglas and Mel Gibson were considered to play the main role. The budget began to rise worryingly, eventually Ridley Scott, elected director at the time, made significant changes to the script to keep costs down, but that did not convince shareholders, just as they were not convinced by the uninviting results of his other films at the time (e.g. 1492. A trip to paradise). Eventually the project failed. And maybe that’s a good thing, because in the 90s the special effects were not yet at a very high level. Besides, can you imagine Schwarzenegger as a scientist? In the following years, Nicolas Gage and Guillermo del Toro were seen as Neville. In 2002, Schwarzenegger became the producer of the film, who resigned from the lead role. But it took until 2006 for the project to start.
The film featured Will Smith in the lead role of Robert Neville, Emma Thompson as Dr Krippin, Alice Braga – Anna, Charlie Tahan – Ethan, Salli Richardson – Zoe Neville and Smith’s daughter – Willow as Marley Neville. Directed by Francis Lawrence, and the script (once again) by Mark Protosevich and Akiva Goldsman.
Will Smith made the final decision to star in I Am Legend in 2006, saying:
Gladiator, Forrest Gump – these are films that have something wonderful about them, something that attracts the attention of the audience, and yet retains undeniable artistic value. I always felt I could act in a movie like this.
He prepared for the role of Smith very well, he talked to war veterans, visited disease treatment centers, and he also followed Cast Away. As for the Dark Seekers army, they were computer-created, which again increased the cost considerably.
An interesting fact is that, on the basis of the novel I am a legend, a film (remembered by few) was made in 1971 with Charlton Heston.
Maybe it’s worth watching this classic again and reflecting that changing nature often ends badly?
