“I am a survivor living in New York.” So begins the tale of Dr. Robert Neville, played by Will Smith, in the 2007 post-apocalyptic thriller “I Am Legend”. This action-packed drama follows Neville’s endless quest to find a cure for a virus that has wiped out most of the world’s population, leaving him as the last man on earth. But what if there was another ending, one that brings a darker side of Neville to light?
The alternate ending to “I Am Legend” reveals a more sinister side of Neville, as he realizes he has become a monster through his experiments and decides to make amends. This alternate ending defies the theatrical cut’s tragic ending, where Neville sacrifices himself to save the world. Instead, Neville sees the error of his ways and decides to hand back the Alpha Female to her mate, giving up his quest for a cure. He escapes with Anna and Ethan to find other survivors outside of New York City.
The alternate ending brings Neville’s arc full circle, allowing him to see another day. While this alternate ending may be seen as darker and more controversial, it gives a more fleshed-out picture of Neville’s mental state. As he recognizes the unrecognizable monster he’s become, he sees his true need to embrace humanity. Here, the monsters that challenge Neville to live again as a man, and he learns to accept.
A Still From I Am Legend (Via IMDB)
The success of the alternate ending shows that fans prefer it over the theatrical cut. With this twist, Neville’s journey to find himself again is only just beginning. He may never be the man he was before the pandemic, but he might still find a life, a purpose, beyond the walls of his New York City home.
Fast-forward to the upcoming sequel, where Akiva Goldsman returns as a screenwriter. The sequel plans to explore the original book’s theme, stating that humanity’s time as the dominant species has come to an end. With this, the film will follow the novel more closely, potentially setting it in Los Angeles, as opposed to New York.
As the sequel progresses, revisiting Neville so far after the events of the first film will be fascinating. Neville will have to re-emerge as a man and prove that, after all these years, he is still legendary.
