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I Am Smith

By Dan ⋅ April 26, 2006 ⋅ Post a comment

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Will_Smith_i_I__Robo_24994c.jpgComingSoon reports that Will Smith is going to star in I Am Legend. Oh dear.

This rumour has been kicked around before, but ComingSoon make it sound fairly official. Akiva Goldsman has rewritten the script and is producing, which probably means we'll get I, Robot with vampires. Except for the fact that ComingSoon describes the film as "Set in post-apocalyptic New York, I Am Legend is about the last healthy man following the release of a virus that decimates the population. To survive, he must battle mutants that wreak havoc during the night." So I, Mutant then. Hang on, mutants? No! Vampires; I Am Legend is about vampires for God's sake, even though they're never mentioned by name. Near Dark never mentions vampires by name either, and that's not about mutants is it? Having said that, maybe in the remake…

What it sounds like we're going to get is a remake of The Omega Man, rather than a faithful adaptation of Richard Matheson's classic novel. Which is a damn shame; Matheson's book would make a beautiful film if done right, full of sadness and tension. In order to do it right though, you need a leading man who's capable of convincingly and interestingly being the only thing on screen for a large chunk of the running time. I don't think Will Smith can do that. Although, there was talk of Arnie being in this a while back, and Smith is probably a better choice. Probably…

And if you've never read the book, do so - if you hadn't guessed it's one of my favourites. It won't take you long, trust me.

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    And if you want to see how the book should be approached properly on film, check out The Last Man On Earth starring Vincent Price (and co-scripted by Matheson himself). Made on a minute budget back in 1964, it manages to pick up a lot of the source novels tone and atmosphere. Despite some dodgy dubbing,generally poor supporting acting and fairly lacklustre direction this strangely compelling film still succeeds largely because of Vincent Price. Although he could often produce entertainingly hammy turns, Price nails the despair of a man who has lost his family and friends and now faces a hopeless future as the only surviving human in a world full of plague-induced vampires in a finely judged low-key performance.
    I really can't see Will Smith pulling that one off, nor can I see Warners releasing that kind of film in the current box office doldrums. Yet another wasted opportunity
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    Which reminds me: I've got that! I just haven't watched it yet.

    I'll dig it out, give it a watch, and post a review! I suppose I ought to revist The Omega Man as well...

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