I Am Legend 2 is currently in pre-production, but one notable detail has been shared ahead of filming, and it highlights the worst detail about the first movie. In 2007, Will Smith starred in the incredible dystopian sci-fi film, I Am Legend. The film was adapted from the novel by popular author Richard Matheson, and is actually the third adaptation of that story, despite the other two versions having different names.

However, while I Am Legend was based on the novel of the same name, it was actually one of the most different adaptations of the story to date, with the monsters changed and other large points of the story to modernize it. However, the most grievous issue with the 2007 film actually comes right at the end of the film, and clearly the filmmakers learned too late the mistake they made. Despite the movie ending with Will Smith's character sacrificing himself in the official theatrical version, the sequel is continuing the story based on the alternate ending, where Robert Neville (Smith) survives.

I Am Legend 2 Picking The Alternate Ending Is A Reminder Of Where The Will Smith Went Wrong

Robert Neville Dying Made I Am Legend Worse

While the theatrical ending delivers a finality to the story, and ensures that there are consequences for the actions of Neville experimenting on the monsters to find a cure, it overshadows almost everything that came before. And vitally for a sequel, it shut down the possibility of continuing the story with Will Smith as the lead. As a result, the studios have opted to go ahead with a sequel, but instead of following through with the ending that was released on the big screen, they have retroactively changed the story to make the alternate ending official canon.

This is ultimately a better choice as it follows the I Am Legend book's message and ends more accurately, and it leaves room for the story to continue in a meaningful way. In addition, it completely alters the perception of the monsters, and Neville's own character, thanks to his willingness to take responsibility and ability for his actions. While his intentions were pure, and he wished to create a cure and save humankind, through his research, Neville became the monster of legend to the creatures living in the dark.

I Am Legend’s Theatrical Ending Repeated A Tiresome Hollywood Problem

And Shattered The Depth Of The Original Story

Another issue with the film's theatrical ending is the fact that it is ultimately boring and unsatisfying. Just like any action movie, it's a hero versus the monsters, and he eventually saves the day. The title of the novel, and the message at its core, is so much more layered as it outlines a relationship where both the creatures and Neville live in fear of each other. Yes, the monsters may have incredible strength, but there conditions force them to live in the dark.

Neville on the other hand, is able to capture them, use technology and traps to essentially torture them, and his actions lead to the deaths of dozens of their kind, while he lives safe and warm inside his fortified home. By having the story reduced to a simple good versus bad, Robert Neville kills the monsters scenario, it loses the heart of the story, and it may as well have been done with any setting, any monster, and any hero. Neville is important as a protagonist for a reason, and the movie lost sight of that in the original ending.

I Am Legend’s Alternate Ending Being Canon Makes The Entire Movie Better In Retrospect

Finally, The Movie Captures The Heart Of The Story

Fortunately, the alternate ending fixes many of these problems as it shows a contrite, and more humble Neville who understands finally that the monsters are not mindless. They have love, they form families, they care for each other, and he has been picking them off one by one in cruel and unusual ways as he straps them to a lab table and experiments until they die. By having Neville recognize the humanity that still exists inside the creatures, and understand their ability to feel and articulate, he gets an understanding of how his own actions have been perceived, and seeks to make amends.

Stepping out to be at the mercy of the so-called monsters, and returning the beloved of the leader is a touching moment that sees Neville and the creature both learn and grow. This makes it not only more meaningful and interesting as a concept, but it opens the door for future stories. I Am Legend 2 has the opportunity to be a better story because, while the world needs saving, the creatures that have caused so much fear are more than mindless zombies. They need to be treated with kindness and respect, and this would not have made sense with the original ending.