Will Smith Says Michael B. Jordan Convinced Him to Sign to 'I Am Legend' Sequel

An upcoming sequel to 2007 film, I Am Legend will mark the first time that Will Smith and Michael B. Jordan have worked together.

A sequel to 2007 Will Smith post-apocalyptic film I Am Legend is coming. Given a film concept by co-star Michael B. Jordan, Smith recently confirmed the news with Entertainment Tonight.

“It was one of those ones I was gonna leave alone, and then I heard the idea," Smith said, ultimately hearing Jordan's pitch and telling himself: "'But that might work. I think we can do that.'”. Smith then teased that the sequel has a “really, really cool concept,” and Jordan was “part of creating the idea.”

With Smith and Jordan set to produce the film, Deadline reported that Akiva Goldsman–who co-wrote the original film–will return to write and co-produce the sequel. The 2007 version of I Am Legend was directed by Francis Lawrence, but it's currently unknown who will direct the sequel.

Since news about the sequel has released, Smith and Jordan shared a still image from the 2007 film on Instagram.

In the original film, Smith starred as Dr. Robert Neville who survives a viral plague in New York City, amidst humans-turned-zombies. The film opened to $77.2 million, grossing $256.4 million domestic and $585.4 million worldwide.

Smith has been on an award run since the beginning of the year for his portrayal of Richard Williams in King Richard. He recently nabbed Best Actor at SAG Awards along with Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Literary Work for his 2021 autobiography Will, co-written with Mark Manson. Smith is also up for Best Actor at the 94th Academy Awards, going head-to head with Denzel Washington for his role of Macbeth in The Tragedy of Macbeth.