The upcoming sequel to I Am Legend will change the original movie’s ending, which could be confusing even for those who’ve already seen it. While it’s common for sequels to alter past events, especially in the sci-fi genre, some franchises go further. Fans starting the Terminator series in the future should know the timeline will be completely reset multiple times.
The new movie, I Am Legend 2, is interesting because the first I Am Legend film from 2007 took some big liberties with the original story. That movie starred Will Smith as Dr. Robert Neville, who seemed to be the last person alive in New York City after a virus turned almost everyone into vampire-like creatures called “Darkseekers.” Throughout most of the film, these creatures appear as mindless, hungry monsters. However, the movie’s ending significantly changes the story from Richard Matheson’s original novel, I Am Legend.
I Am Legend 2 Retcons The Original Movie’s Ending Completely
Throughout all versions of the story, Neville captures Darkseekers and tries to find a cure for the outbreak by experimenting on them. The movie’s original ending shows Neville succeeding and sharing the cure with other survivors before sacrificing himself and destroying the Darkseekers attacking his building. However, the book and an alternate movie ending reveal that the Darkseekers aren’t attacking Neville randomly – they’re actually trying to rescue their captured family members.
The story’s chilling title comes from the understanding that the creatures, known as Darkseekers, aren’t just monsters – they’re living beings with feelings and families. This makes Neville realize that he appears as the heartless monster to them, freely killing their loved ones. The next movie, I Am Legend 2, will officially establish this perspective as the true ending to the first film, bringing Will Smith back as Neville and introducing Michael B. Jordan to the series.
I Am Legend 2 Using The Original Movie’s Alternate Ending Could Prove Difficult
It’s extremely rare for a movie to officially change its ending after its initial release, but that’s what’s happening with I Am Legend 2. Viewers familiar only with the original film will be surprised to learn Will Smith is returning, as his character dies in that version. Also, the original theatrical release didn’t reveal that the creatures, known as Darkseekers, weren’t simply motivated by destruction and killing.
It’s likely the next I Am Legend movie will need to start by reminding audiences what happened in the first one. A similar situation occurred with The Descent Part 2, which changed the ending of the original film for US viewers by confirming the main character survived. However, most American audiences already knew the story of The Descent, while the return of the character Neville in I Am Legend 2 will only make sense to those who saw the alternate ending of the first I Am Legend – an ending that was only available on DVD or online.
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2026-04-26 21:17