Will Smith Reveals The Story Behind Having To Pitch One Of I Am Legend’s Most Tragic Scenes, And I Agree That It Sounds ‘Almost Like From A Sitcom’

by

It’s common knowledge that creative ideas can lead to fierce disputes in Hollywood, as movie executives strive to create blockbusters that appeal to audiences. However, sometimes controversial content is essential for storytelling, and filmmakers may vigorously defend strong elements in their work. One such instance of behind-the-scenes drama happened when Will Smith and writer/producer Akiva Goldsman proposed a particularly dramatic scene for the 2007 sci-fi thriller I Am Legend.

In the movie, viewers might recall that Will Smith’s character, Neville, shares a heartwarming bond with his loyal dog, Sam, for much of the film. However, their connection ends on a sorrowful note when Sam is bitten by the virus responsible for the world’s demise. As shared in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Smith and Goldsman had to secure approval from Warner Bros. President Alan Horn to include a scene where Neville puts Sam down. This scene, now looking back, seems almost comically heart-wrenching as Smith recalls.

In our encounter with Alan Horn, who was then the head of Warner Bros., we walked in to discuss our idea. The scene resembled a sitcom as Mr. Horn had four stunning images of German Shepherds adorning his desk, reflecting his love for these canines. He shared that he had recently lost one of his beloved dogs, which made us feel quite sympathetic. Akiva then suggested, ‘Alan, Will has an idea he’d like to share with you.’

In plain terms, what we just witnessed was an exceptional example of passing blame, or better yet, shielding oneself by blaming others. The skillful way in which Akiva Goldsman handled this situation is almost deserving of admiration for its audacity.

In this part, Alan Horn had a rather emotional reaction to the pitch: According to Will Smith, he became tearful upon seeing one of his late pet’s photos. It seemed that all hope was lost as Horn doubted whether general audiences would accept a scene in a popular sci-fi/horror movie where one of Hollywood’s biggest stars kills a dog. However, with no immediate solution in sight, Goldsman intervened to turn the situation around: he stepped in to save the day.

Alan Horn is visibly emotional, weeping while clutching a photo of his German Shepherd. He assures everyone that their lead actor won’t kill a dog for a movie in America. However, Akiva clarifies that this is a stage play, not a film. In the scene, the camera simply pans away, and the audience only hears the sounds of the dog’s paws scratching on the floor until they stop. Although it may be distressing, the audience doesn’t have to endure it directly. Akiva skillfully finds a balance between conveying the idea and sparing the audience from unnecessary suffering.

In the end, the film “I Am Legend” garnered a mix of positive feedback from critics, with Neville’s farewell to Sam being one of the movie’s most impactful scenes – and it’s safe to say that it didn’t deter or frighten away viewers. Despite being costly to produce, with an estimated pre-marketing and publicity budget of $150 million (according to Box Office Mojo), it managed to gross a total of $585 million during its global theatrical run.

Discussions about a sequel to the highly successful film “I Am Legend” have been ongoing for years, and the latest news came in April when Will Smith confirmed Michael B. Jordan as part of the cast and shared details about his character and the movie’s storyline. This contradicts rumors suggesting that Jordan would portray a younger version of Neville in a prequel. Interestingly, “I Am Legend 2” will take a daring approach by acknowledging the alternate ending of the original film as the official canon, with Neville meeting an untimely end in the first movie, but the sequel will explore a different outcome instead.

It remains to be seen if the upcoming sequel will feature a deeply moving scene comparable to the demise of Sam, potentially necessitating a heartfelt appeal from Will Smith and Akiva Goldsman to David Zaslav. Only the future can reveal this answer.

Read More

2025-07-16 03:38