| I Am Legend | |
|---|---|
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:I_am_legend_teaser.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Francis Lawrence |
| Screenplay by | |
| Based on | |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Andrew Lesnie |
| Edited by | Wayne Wahrman |
| Music by | James Newton Howard |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures[1] |
Release date |
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Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United States[1][2] |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $150 million[3] |
| Box office | $585 million[3] |
I Am Legend is a 2007 American post-apocalyptic action thriller film[4][5] directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Akiva Goldsman and Mark Protosevich and starring Will Smith as US Army virologist Robert Neville. Loosely based on the 1954 novel of the same name by Richard Matheson, the film is set in New York City after a virus, which was originally created to cure cancer, has wiped out most of mankind, leaving Neville as the last human in New York, other than nocturnal mutants. Neville is immune to the virus, and he works to develop a cure while defending himself against the hostile mutants. It is the third feature-film adaptation of Matheson's novel following 1964's The Last Man on Earth and 1971's The Omega Man.
Warner Bros. began developing I Am Legend in 1994 and various actors and directors were attached to the project, though production was delayed due to budgetary concerns related to the script. Production began in 2006 in New York City, filming mainly on location in the city, including a $5 million scene[6][7] at the Brooklyn Bridge.
I Am Legend was released on December 14, 2007, in the United States and Canada. It opened to the largest-ever box office (not adjusted for inflation) for a non-Christmas film released in the U.S. in December and was the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2007, earning $256 million domestically and $329 million internationally for a total of $585 million. The film received generally positive reviews, with Smith's performance being singled out for praise, while criticism focused on its divergences from the novel, particularly the ending. In 2022, a sequel was revealed to be in development, with Smith set to reprise his role as Neville and co-produce the film with Michael B. Jordan, who will also have a starring role.
- ^ a b c "I Am Legend". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on January 5, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
- ^ "I Am Legend (2007)". Allmovie. Archived from the original on August 10, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ a b "I Am Legend (2007)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
- ^ "Will Smith jokes 'I Am Legend' is spreading myths about coronavirus". TheGrio. March 19, 2020. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
In the opening moments, Will Smith joked about his 2007 post-apocalyptic action thriller I Am Legend, based on the 1954 novel of the same name by Richard Matheson.
- ^ "Box Office Guru Wrapup: Will Smith Rescues Industry With Explosive Opening For I Am Legend". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
Will Smith cemented his standing as the number-one box-office draw in Hollywood with his latest action thriller I Am Legend, which soared past lofty expectations to open on top and drive the overall marketplace to an explosive weekend ending the recent slump.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Reuterswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Steuer, Joseph (April 24, 2007). "A 'Legend' in the Making". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved March 23, 2020.