MOVIE NEWS – Original star Will Smith will co-star with Michael B. Jordan in the next episode of I Am Legend.

The post-apocalyptic thriller I Am Legend is getting a sequel. According to Deadline, Warner Bros. will continue the series, with original star Will Smith returning and Michael B. Jordan joining Smith in the lead role and producing. The film will be the duo’s first big movie together as star and producer.

Oscar-winner Akiva Goldsman, who wrote the previous film adaptation, will also return to co-write the as-yet-untitled sequel with Smith and Jordan.

All three have reportedly already been signed, which means the project is now underway.

Francis Lawrence, who directed the original film, is not currently on board, and no director is on board as of yet. Jordan is working with producer Elizabeth Raposo under their company, Outlier Society. Smith will produce with Westbrook Studios co-chairman and Motion Pictures executive Jon Mone, with Ryan Shimazaki overseeing on behalf of Westbrook Studios. James Lassiter will serve as executive producer, while Goldsman will produce Weed Road Pictures with Greg Lessans.

Based on Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel of the same name, I Am Legend was released in 2007. The story is set in a world that has been devastated by a virus, wiping out almost every last bit of humanity. US Army virologist Robert Neville (Will Smith) is one of the last living humans left. Neville must also defend himself against hostile mutant creatures with only his dog and mannequins for company. Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan and Dash Mihok also star in the film.

Previously, there had been reports that a new film was nearing development, although it was unclear what this new version would look like.

Back in 2008, Will Smith hinted at a possible sequel, which at the time was thought to be a prequel. If it was made, the idea was that Smith would head from New York to Washington D.C. for one last fight.

In 2014, there were also reports that another I Am Legend film was in development. At the time, it was rumoured that it would not feature Smith but would be a reboot with a new lead actor. The plan was to rework the script of another story to make it more in line with the I Am Legend story. In the end, this planned version of the film never saw the light of day.

Given that Smith is back on board for the sequel, and with another massive star in Michael B. Jordan alongside him, it seems likely that the film will finally actually get made this time around. There is no word yet on when filming might begin or when fans can expect to see the new movie.

If you want to re-watch the original, you can currently stream I Am Legend for free on Tubi.

Source: Deadline