“I Am Legend,” a 2007 American post-apocalyptic action thriller film, loosely draws inspiration from Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel of the same name.
Directed by Francis Lawrence and featuring a screenplay by Akiva Goldsman and Mark Protosevich, the movie stars Will Smith as Robert Neville, a US Army virologist. Set in a desolate New York City ravaged by a virus initially designed to combat cancer, the story unfolds with Neville as the sole human survivor, contending with nocturnal mutants. Immune to the virus, Neville endeavors to devise a cure while fending off the aggressive mutant populace.
The film’s inception dates back to 1994 when Warner Bros. initiated its development, with multiple actors and directors linked to the project. However, production faced setbacks due to budget constraints tied to the script. Filming commenced in 2006 in New York City, predominantly capturing scenes on-site, including a notable sequence on the Brooklyn Bridge, costing $5 million.
“I Am Legend” premiered on December 14, 2007, in the United States and Canada, securing the highest box office opening (unadjusted for inflation) for a non-Christmas release in December. It ranked as the seventh highest-grossing film of 2007, amassing $256 million domestically and $329 million internationally, culminating in a total of $585 million. Critical reception was mixed, with particular acclaim lauded upon Will Smith’s performance, while critiques centered on deviations from the source material, notably the conclusion.
