Not all of Will Smith's characters are loud, smart-mouthed tough guys, and Dr. Robert Neville from I Am Legend might just be the best example of that so far. I Am Legend wasted no time in becoming popular when it hit theaters nearly two decades ago with all the ingredients for a post-apocalyptic blockbuster. While many people were drawn to its chilling premise and adrenaline-pumping action, some were disappointed that it did not stay true to its source material, especially with the ending, which they felt missed the point.

Now that discussions about a sequel have begun, Will Smith opened up about his and Michael B. Jordan’s ideas for a second spin at the franchise and how he aims to crack the code to lure audiences back for another round.

Will Smith recently had a chat with Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier at a special fan screening for Bad Boys: Ride or Die. The actor gave an update on the planned sequel to his 2007 hit I Am Legend, which he and Michael B. Jordan are set to produce and star in. Smith mentioned that they spent a few weeks together about a month ago to brainstorm ideas for the project. "I think it's looking good,” he added, “[We have some] really solid ideas”. 

The Oscar-winning actor also dropped hints about his intentions to appear on screen alongside Jordan- "I think we're going to make it on screen together". I Am Legend 2  was confirmed to be in development in 2022 before the first installment made its Netflix debut. However, Smith understands the importance of having the right formula to keep audiences hooked. And that is precisely what he has implemented for his upcoming Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

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Will Smith recently shared the standard he has set for making sequels, stressing that he is not just going to do it for the sake of it.

When asked about joining forces again with Martin Lawrence for the fourth film in the Bad Boys franchise, Will Smith told Entertainment Tonight that his rule for making a sequel is that it has to "stand on its own right". The actor made it crystal clear that he would never make a sequel just because “it would be cool to have a sequel". And the reason he moved forward with the fourth installment of Bad Boys was because it met his standards.

The 55-year-old shared that while they aimed to keep the upcoming film, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, thrilling, they also aimed for it to mature alongside the characters. He also confirmed that the return of Mike and Marcus will be exactly in the way fans adore them, but they have expanded the universe to allow for more characters to join. Even at the end of I Am Legend, Smith’s character meets numerous fellow survivors, suggesting various potential sequel avenues.

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What do you think about Will Smith’s plans for the I Am Legend sequel with Michael B. Jordan? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!