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I AM LEGEND Location News And Bizarre Synopsis!!

the apocalypse is such a downer. by mr. brownstone	Sep 22nd, 2006 04:45:34 AM
let's just have big willie heroically braving a vampire horde by choice so the lunchtime crowd can get back to Scores by three Thursdays from now.
Why call it I am Legend? by Giant Ape Balls	Sep 22nd, 2006 05:00:17 AM
If you're going to mess with the story that much, give it an original title and say its "inspired by" or something. Otherwise it ain't what it says on the tin. I just hope they're not trying to turn it into a 9/11 allegory.
"Why call it I am Legend?" by Perturbo	Sep 22nd, 2006 05:18:23 AM
It's a hip-hop thang.
Good Grief by Hokeybutt	Sep 22nd, 2006 05:18:41 AM
Title seems too high-falutin' for just another Will Smith actioner. Are they actually going to try to put the words "I am Legend!" in his mouth?
Constatine blew... by Jon E Cin	Sep 22nd, 2006 05:28:39 AM
that Shia La Beouf kid ruined it for me.
AW HELL NAW by Karl Childers	Sep 22nd, 2006 05:44:52 AM
I knew they would fuck this one up.
Suprise Bloody Suprise by pammybabe	Sep 22nd, 2006 05:47:44 AM
So in the end he finds a cure and everyone lives happily ever after?Bollocks. I just new they would screw this up. The original story is a classic. Why change it?
I Am Dubious by BannedOnTheRun	Sep 22nd, 2006 05:50:00 AM
Nicole Kidman as a neurosurgeon? OK. Denise Richards as a nuclear physicist? Sure. But Will Smith as an Army doctor? Ah HELL NO!
JimmyJoe RedSky by JimmyJoe RedSky	Sep 22nd, 2006 05:56:03 AM
i like "the omega man" a lot - one of my favorite dystopian future movies of the 1970s - cheesy but good - why not call this new one "the omega man" or "omega-man" or just "omega" - theyre already using the name "robert neville" and hes an army doctor - like in the heston movie - "i am legend" was a whole other story - make one or the other - stupid hollywood - i like will smith - he can act - but i dont see him in this role - maybe someone older - more weathered and less "hip" - like kurt russell or denzel washington or bruce willis - but i cant imagine them say yes to this vehicle - russell maybe - , this story should be played out with grit and realism - like "28 days later" - no room for witty self aware one liners - something smith gets paid to do often
Boo! Hiss! by Cat_Corporation	Sep 22nd, 2006 05:56:50 AM
This sounds like shit. When are we going to get a decent film from this great book, eh? Must try harder!!
Film is remake of unofficial remake of OMEGA MAN -- by Spacesheik	Sep 22nd, 2006 06:08:01 AM
if you thought I AM LEGEND you were wrong
throwing us off the scent? by ephor	Sep 22nd, 2006 06:09:14 AM
sounds like a load of bullshit to me. maybe it's a fake synopsis. though you'd think they wouldn't use the real title too. what happened to the 300 trailer anyway? The link disappeared from the left frame of the site and ifilm don't have it anymore :( did anyone manage to catch it?
read ISAAC ASIMOV I ROBOT and then watch the movie by Spacesheik	Sep 22nd, 2006 06:09:56 AM
same thing here - will smith defecates on a major book - theyll hollywoodicize it, make it hip, have an MTV 'i am legend' sweepstakes with dancing mutants - you know the drill
Will Smith is THE BASTARDIZER by Dolph	Sep 22nd, 2006 06:29:38 AM
"Watch me ruin adaptations from awesome source material, yo."
COME OUT NEVILLE!!!!! by DOGSOUP	Sep 22nd, 2006 06:33:14 AM
AND BRING BACK THE STORY!!!!
sounds laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaame by triplefive	Sep 22nd, 2006 07:02:09 AM
of course, this bit of retardation might stem from the Akiva Goldsman draft of the script, if they're still using it...godDAMN that guy sux so hard.
Next weekend by RenoNevada2000	Sep 22nd, 2006 07:05:54 AM
I'm going to be in Manhattan for an extended weekend next weekend- Sept 29th through Oct 3. (Visiting friends and catching opening night of EVIL DEAD- THE MUSICAL in previews.) Any word on shooting then?
You know they said, "This raises the stakes" by FluffyUnbound	Sep 22nd, 2006 07:17:29 AM
...in the script meeting. The dumbfucks. Someone said, "What if he's on the island with the vampires voluntarily, and can leave at any time? There's so much more drama there! If the world is already gone and there are vampires wherever he would go, the protagonist doesn't have to commit to the action, and I read in STORY that we have to set it up so he can do that." That's exactly how the meeting went down.
"Oh no you don't!" by radio1_mike	Sep 22nd, 2006 07:26:59 AM
Uhhh. I love end-of-world films, but the only way I can see this working is if there is some kinda twist... Maybe Neville finds the cure, but then as he leave Manhattan, the plague has spread AND MUTATED so his cure does not work. He gets out NJ and everythings dead. Or perhaps he finds the cure, turns himself, destroys it and heads to an unexpecting outer world where it's been contained.
Go home, Neville by the zapper	Sep 22nd, 2006 07:36:44 AM
Will Smith as Robert Neville would be up there with John Wayne playing Genghis Khan as one of the most atrocious pieces of casting ever. Why don't we get Tom Hanks to star in a Bruce Lee boipic? How about Chris Rock for the voice of Optimus Prime? Oh yeh, Kurt Russel would make an awesome Malcom X....{stands up and starts kicking his own ass} How one of the greatest horror/sci-fi books ever written can be constantly turned into cinematic excrement is beyond me. In good, not even great, hands it could be a genuinely scary, though provoking flick; not some shitty bling bling Will Smith action movie. But yeh, I'd love to be wrong ;)
Oh well by kadath	Sep 22nd, 2006 07:57:05 AM
I'm a major apocalyptic-movie fan, but I'm passing on this. The Vincent Price version is out on DVD, ya know.
The Legend Continues... by Buzzsawlenny	Sep 22nd, 2006 07:59:14 AM
How Come "The LAst Man On Earth" with vincent "motherfucking" price isn't getting any love and you just know if will smiths in it they are going to want a sequel...WILL SMITH the LEGEND CONTINUES....
Damn you Michael Bay by MCMLXXVI	Sep 22nd, 2006 08:22:49 AM
Damn you Michael Bay
Damn you Michael Bay by MCMLXXVI	Sep 22nd, 2006 08:22:49 AM
Damn you Michael Bay
So, does this have the kids from HOLES? by -guyinthebackrow	Sep 22nd, 2006 08:25:43 AM
Does Big Willie constantly have to tell the kid to stop cursing? Is it going to be PG-13?
decades from now, parents will scare their by durhay	Sep 22nd, 2006 08:30:13 AM
children with stories of the daywalker known as "Auhelno"
First they cast Will Smith as Neville... by Black And Gold	Sep 22nd, 2006 08:31:04 AM
Then they set it in New York.... Then they give him a hot rod for a vehicle.... Now they make him an army doctor? Dear lord, they better change the name of this movie. From everything seen so far it's different enough from the original story to warrant a new title. Maybe in another 20 or so years the NEXT production will get it right.
Diary if the dead news. by Cleyu	Sep 22nd, 2006 08:34:44 AM
http://tinyurl.com/m479t
Instead of vampires, this version has Ginger Kids by FluffyUnbound	Sep 22nd, 2006 08:36:16 AM
That's the other surprise twist in this script. That way, you can have great scenes where Smith interacts with the Ginger Kids, and tells THEM to stop cursing.
Bye Hollywood by Dude_gimme_tabs	Sep 22nd, 2006 08:41:35 AM
Hollywood should hereby be banned from making films, full stop, for two years. Completely, totally and utterly unable to do fricking anything right. They should all (the entire industry) take two years off and take a long hard look at themsleves and realise they are no longer able to be trusted as the guardians of our creative dreams.
I am escape from NY! by Norm3	Sep 22nd, 2006 08:42:10 AM
What the hell. Bring back Ridley Scott!
funny Durhay by Black And Gold	Sep 22nd, 2006 09:05:11 AM
"Auhelno". hehe, good stuff.
Looks like The Last Man on Earth... by Bubba Gillman	Sep 22nd, 2006 09:05:35 AM
...will likely stand as the most faithful film adaptation of I Am Legend. There is no wa-ay they are going to end the Will Smith version the way the book and Last Man on Earth ends. Which is unfortunate, because that ending (and the meaning it gives to the title of the book) is what makes it unique. And while I've liked Will Smith as an actor at times, I think he is too young and "hip" for the role of Neville (at least the character in the book). Neville needs to be world weary. I say that Russell Crowe, with Ridley Scott directing, would have been the dream version of I Am Legend.
it about the book stupid by gfrankenstein	Sep 22nd, 2006 09:09:32 AM
first of all will smith stinks. who gave this guy a carreer? this sounds like once again theyve taken a great book and not read more than the title page . anyone remember the haunting remake?
Im gonna hope... by Dmann	Sep 22nd, 2006 09:18:58 AM
This is just some production synopsis written by a Publicist who has neither read the book, or the screenplay.
28 Days Later Meets Blade by 102276	Sep 22nd, 2006 09:43:17 AM
So obvious.
Dmann: I think it's the synopsis from the director by brycemonkey	Sep 22nd, 2006 09:44:08 AM
who has read neither the book or screenplay. I'll just get in the way of his 'vision'...
I Am A Weak Script by Uncapie	Sep 22nd, 2006 10:16:35 AM
Give me $500,000, I'd film the book and do it justice! Joe Estherhas' new book is so right on!
Why we'll never see an accurate adaptation of IAL by resrvordog	Sep 22nd, 2006 10:32:04 AM
To do the book would cost money, AND require a non-Hollywood ending. Will Smith fans don't want to go to a film where he dies in the end. Even Matheson knew that. This fall, you can read his own screenplay adaptation when published in Bloodlines from Gauntlet Press. But really, the person we should all be upset with is whoever represented Matheson in the deal that somehow landed Warner the rights to the book in perpetuity. Think about it - after 35 years and half a dozen false starts, any reasonable deal would have had the rights revert at some point. I invite all fans of the book to check out my unofficial IAL site: http://tinyurl.com/eal82
Sounds like a decent science fiction/action movie, but by Orbots Commander	Sep 22nd, 2006 10:36:01 AM
I don't get it: why call it I AM LEGEND? Call it OMEGA-MAN. It has more in common with the latter than the former title. Although I AM LEGEND is a great little novella, I doubt it has much meaning in the minds of the majority of the intended target audience, so why use the title?
Noooo!!!!! And Joe Eszterhas by moto	Sep 22nd, 2006 10:40:27 AM
What a waste. This will be one of those wasted opportunities. What could have been a kickass apocalypse movie will be just pointless now. The whole point of I Am Legend is a story of survival. And Uncapie... no offense to you, but Joe Eszterhas was and is a fucking hack. He's pissed at the industry and his book was nothing more than a whiney ass complaint about the industry that rejected him because he thought he was the next coming of Christ in screenwriting. Let's see... his only good script was Basic Instinct, and Flashdance to a lesser degree. Studios paid way too much for anything after Basic Instinct and realised that Basic Instinct was a fluke. Showgirls anyone?? The guy writes about tits and ass and thinks he's frickin God of screenwriting. Don't buy into his book. Nothing more than fluff to get his name back out there.
Jar Jar 4 Prez.... by thisnameistaken	Sep 22nd, 2006 10:40:40 AM
The origional city was LA and Neville was not a doctor. He was just a regular joe, that was the point. He was a regular guy trying to save his life, and sanity. People are against Will Smith because people know there is NO WAY this movie will follow the actual story with Smith as Neville. People are angry about this, because what makes I Am Legend great is the mood set my Neville's hopeless life and the ending. The ending is the whole point of the book, more importantly, the whole point of the TITLE!!! There is no point of calling it I AM Legend without having the book's ending.
Let's Help Them! by SLURPIEGOD	Sep 22nd, 2006 10:41:50 AM
Hey Guys, anyone in the area, lets show up tonight for the shoot, and when WIll steps out, we can start chanting "COME OUT NEVILLE!". This will be the truest part of the book they will film....
They were filming this outside my apartment last week by ursa	Sep 22nd, 2006 10:41:56 AM
They had closed down Park Avenue from Grand Central down to 36th Street. They area had been given a definite post-apocolyptic look,i.e cars covered in dust, grass over the streets, vines climbing up buildings. The red and white sports car was definitely taking center stage.
I remember watching six degrees of seperation... by robosushi	Sep 22nd, 2006 10:56:44 AM
and thinking that will smith was going to be such a good actor. Now I dont want to see any movie hes involved in. Its been ever since Bad Boys he feels the need to "street" his roles up. Hell, even in Fresh Prince he acted better. When will get a role where he plays the president... who must wear his basketball sneakers and bad leather coat to all of his important meetings.
Uncapie and moto: Joe Eszterhas by brycemonkey	Sep 22nd, 2006 11:04:07 AM
Love him or hate him he did revolutionise the industry. I enjoyed his autobiog Hollywood Animal (even the hoakey ending). I'll give his new one a chance. And let's be fair moto. How many screeplays have you written? How many have been made? What were the combined grosses? I thought so.
damn you will smith by LordTwinkie	Sep 22nd, 2006 11:18:43 AM
this is just idiotic, one of the best parts of the story was the fact that there was no left except Neville, that and how this was one of the first times someone tried to explain scientifically the hows and whys of vampirism.
Come out, Neville! by Walter_Kovacs	Sep 22nd, 2006 11:18:59 AM
I think they got this one wrong. From the get-go, I thought that, and this takes the sinking feeling one step further. The whole point of the story, the book (which I'm assuming some of you have read) is to take an ordinary man, a working stiff, and make him the last man on earth. But it doesn't transplant him into a big city; it's an environment he, and most of us know very well; our home, smack dab in suburbia. Neville's house on Cimmaron Street could be any of ours, the town could be any of ours, and the crushing weight of being left in a place so familiar, yet so dreadfully empty, is part of where the real horror is. And the other thing about home life that's so present in the story: routine. Neville gets up every morning, and goes about his day, doing repairs, stocking up on food and supplies, making stakes, and killing vampires. And he goes through it all with the same enthusiasm most of us feel for work, and the tasks that we undertake to keep our home in order. That's another source of the horror in this story; the idea that all this has become routine. That someone could get used to a life like this. It's also the reason why the story opens after the plague that turns everyone into vampires-how he got there isn't as immediately important as where he is now. What's more, this isn't the kind of story where monsters are leaping, ceiling climbing CG beasties, either; they're his friends, his neighbors. In fact, the guy who lived next door to him is the one most eager to kill him and drain him dry. So when I heard this was set in NYC, strike two. Will Smith was strike two; this is a movie where your leading man needs to shut the fuck up and go about his business, and I think that would be physically impossible for him. This bastardized story description is strike three. I go into this if I even WANT to spend ten bucks on it) with drastically lowered expectations. If you don't know what I mean, read the novel-it's great stuff. Too bad they're not bothering to make a movie based on it.
What the He**?!! by LastJedi	Sep 22nd, 2006 11:29:03 AM
Count me as one of the many who are utterly, utterly diappointed in this project. Man...Matheson's novel so is freak'n perfect. It lends itself to the screen with hardly any translation needed!! The imagery in the novel is great, too. I started to become disappointed when I heard Will Smith was going to be Nevill. I was even more skeptical when I noticed it was set in urban NY. Damn! Now we get this news? What is it going to take to get a true adaptation of this novel to the screen? I've been looking forward to this movie for years, through all its developmental problems. Now I'm resigned to seeing it but just because I've already invested so much emotion in looking forward to the project. UHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
I Am Unsurprised by Immortal_Fish	Sep 22nd, 2006 11:40:00 AM
Another mishandled Hollowood 'adaptation'.
What Kovacs Said by LastJedi	Sep 22nd, 2006 11:46:36 AM
Right on, Kovacs!! That was an excellent post. It sums up what the movie needs to be about perfectly. This movie DOES NOT need to cost a lot. What it needs to be is a slow, steady, methodically maddening capture of one man's struggle against the impossible. It needs to be an intimate picture. I can visualize what this movie should be from INSIDE Neville's house and man, it's hauntingly beautiful. Instead, we get...well...this Hollywood BS. It's gonna take someone who has a passion for this novel to stand up and make the movie. Why even make it??? The worst part is that fans have to stomach this thing and wait it out until enough time passes where they can think about making it again. But, damn, I don't want to wait another decade or more. This could EASILY be an all-time great horror movie right up there with the Exorcist, if only they'd get people with a passion for the source material to make it. Crowe and Scott would be absolutely amazing with this project. I'd rather them not even be making it now...
I was excited when Schwarzenegger was attached by Vi	Sep 22nd, 2006 11:55:49 AM
That old John Logan script leak a few years ago is sounding pretty damn good right about now.
why didnt they use the script that is regarded as... by s0nicdeathmonkey	Sep 22nd, 2006 11:56:14 AM
one of the best unproduced scripts in hollywood?
Why does this already suck? Two Words: by uberman	Sep 22nd, 2006 12:05:56 PM
Will Smith.
i am legend? by coppercrow	Sep 22nd, 2006 12:31:25 PM
why is it so difficult to take a book and make the movie from it? its a great book! great story!... transfer it to film as is! carpenter blew it with vampire$..... it never ends...
does will smith get to call anyone 'sugar' in this? by Spacesheik	Sep 22nd, 2006 12:32:07 PM
probably
Who will play the vampire love interest??? by 102276	Sep 22nd, 2006 12:36:42 PM
She's a vampire. He's a fearless vampire killer. But if he can just find the antidote for vampirism, he can save his honey and the world... Seriously though, as awful as this "adaptation" sounds, I don't mind the vampires being trapped on Manhattan island. Traditional vampire mythology says vampires can't cross running water (unless carried across in its coffin). So the idea of a vampire movie set throughout Manhattan isn't terrible, but it's a damned shame this has nothing to do with the book (which was a parable, really).
Jar Jar by FluffyUnbound	Sep 22nd, 2006 12:47:45 PM
Another problem with the synopsis is the implication that only New York has been impacted by the virus, and that Manhattan was evacuated rather than exterminated. In the original story, the world is gone, and only Neville and vampires are left [or, at least, "apparently" only Neville and vampires are left]. Changing it to only New York being gone changes the situation, changes Neville's motivation, and makes the original ending [heck, the entire original third act, and not just the ending] a logical impossibility.
This film is 10 years too later by kwisatzhaderach	Sep 22nd, 2006 12:51:56 PM
Ridley and Schwarzenegger was the way to go.
I AM PISSED OFF! by football	Sep 22nd, 2006 01:24:23 PM
This film's going to bomb. Will Smith is so so wrong for this part I want to stand outside theaters with a placard stating; WILL SMITH GO FUCK YOURSELF!! The studio hoopleheads that green lit this shitfest should douse themselves in petrol and apply a match!! You fucked up Wicker Man and now you're about to fuck up Matherson's great classic and produce a great steaming turd. Scott and Arnold was the right path and yet quibble over budget. God, I hope you're studio fucking goes bust and your homes and livelyhood are destroyed. Fuckers!!
Did my last post work? This loggin stuff doesn't work!! by football	Sep 22nd, 2006 01:35:47 PM
This film's going to bomb. Will Smith is so so wrong for this part I want to stand outside theaters with a placard stating: WILL SMITH GO FUCK YOURSELF!! The studio hoopleheads that green lit this shitfest should douse themselves in petrol and apply a match!! You fucked up Wicker Man and now you're about to fuck up Matherson's great classic and produce a great steaming turd. Scott and Arnold were the right path and yet you quibble over budget. God, I hope your studio fucking goes bust and your homes and livelyhood are destroyed. Fuckers!!
How many times can such a cool book... by crackerfarmboy	Sep 22nd, 2006 01:45:44 PM
be horribly fucked up in a film adaptation? It's really astounding when you think about it.
Props brycemonkey, no offense taken moto. by Uncapie	Sep 22nd, 2006 01:53:55 PM
I bought Eszterhas' book last night and could not put it down. Its fascinating stuff. I agree, he's not one of my favorite writers but, here's a guy who made million dollar deals on shit. Here's $3.7 million dollars UP FRONT for "Showgirls." The guy could have come up with a script called "Shit On A Shingle" and they would have given him the same deal. Esterhas came off two major hits, "Flashdance" and "Basic Instinct." Hollywood looks at the grosses, not at the talent, ergo "He's hot! We MUST have him write A SCRIPT for us!" And yet, there are hundreds of better stories out there to film. At least thumb through his book if you don't want to buy it. I think you'll be very surpirsed what you learn. Also, check out JOHN SCOLERI'S LAST SITE ON EARTH(You can find it on Google.) This is the best, most comprehensive site on "I Am Legend" you will ever find! He did an incredible job and if there was anyone that they should have used as an advisor(Aside of Richard Matheson.) it would have to be Mr. Scoleri.
Remakes with Black People by Bodycount1970	Sep 22nd, 2006 01:55:38 PM
Is it me, or is every remake that casts the original person, who was white, with a black person, sucks???? It seems that is payback for trying to screw with originality and forcing Political correctness on us. Oh well, maybe someone will make a good remake in the next 50 years. DOnt hold your breath.
I Am Legend should = Children of Men by Hoots Mon	Sep 22nd, 2006 02:10:02 PM
Sort of. The whole feeling of the book Legend is a world gone wrong, out of control, which is precisely the opposite of what this article says. I like the atmosphere in the trailers for Children of Men, and if they could capture even a flavour of that in Legend they'd be on the right track. In fact, fuck Francis Lawrence, get Cuarón to direct legend. And fuck Will Smith, get Giammatti, Denzel or an actor with proven dramatic chops to play Neville. Otherwise, prepare for the promo rap video...
f*ck this movie by reckni	Sep 22nd, 2006 02:32:43 PM
I really hope it bombs. Add to the running tally, another great book ruined on screen. Why?
If ever a movie was made that should be geek-boycotted, by CarmillaVonDoom	Sep 22nd, 2006 03:03:25 PM
this is the one!! The only acceptable solution is for NONE of us to go see this shit they are trying to pass off for 'I Am Legend' which is one of the greatest novels of fear ever written. Inspired Romero to give us NIGHT!!! Someone stop Akiva Goldsman before he writes again!!!
Best Adaptation by StovetopStuffin'	Sep 22nd, 2006 03:20:16 PM
The best adaptation of the book is The Last Man on Earth. It's almost completely faithful to the book, with the exception of the end of course. The Omega Man was too lame for words, and this is gonna suck even more. Will someone please make I Am Legend, and make it completely faithful to the book? Complete with his friend taunting him outside his house, the slaughter of the dumb vampires, and depressing anti-climactic yet still badass ending?
MisCast by Ting Lau	Sep 22nd, 2006 04:11:27 PM
I have no problem with Will Smith, but I do have a huge problem with him playing this role. I agree with most of the comments. For years I've wanted this remade and the perfect person to play this role now would be....Sly Stallone. Say what you want, he can act without saying a word (First Blood anyone?)
Ting Lau by StovetopStuffin'	Sep 22nd, 2006 04:24:56 PM
I hope you're joking. I love Sly, but not for this role. Robert Neville is an everyday man. Not a muscley guy. No, I always thought Ed Norton would be good. And if you don't want to remove the african american aspect they have created for this movie, get someone less heroic. Call me crazy, but Dave Chappelle could do it. Not in his Chappelle show way, but in a serious way. Comedians make some of the best dramatic actors. It's all about timing after all. That is, if they were keeping the more serious tone from the book, which it doesn't seem they are.
You know, I quite like the sound of that! by TheMackenzie	Sep 22nd, 2006 04:48:43 PM
I love the book, and I enjoyed Omega Man, but maybe this idea could possibly work? Well I'm gonna go see it, regardless of the synopisis, bizarre or not, and maybe everyone should just give it a chance, rather than bitching already.
I read the I AM LEGEND SCRIPT by Crackfiji42	Sep 22nd, 2006 04:52:55 PM
I work for a small production company, and while they were still searching for money for the project they submitted I AM LEGEND to us. It was a great read and it is easy to see will smith in the role. Most of it is without dialogue as Neville travels around with his dog collecting supplies. The entirety of the script takes place in Los Angeles, with specific mention of well known locations. So I am guessing that the manhatten scenes are for some flashback (been a while since I read it). But otherwise if the movie is well-directed than I think is has some serious potential in the horror genre.
2 camps here.... by SLURPIEGOD	Sep 22nd, 2006 05:00:45 PM
I am noticing that people are really divided here about just what to HATE about this movie. I for one, felt it important to submit the above news because I am totally in love with the source material. I have no hatred of Mr.Smith, as I see many of you do. Given a proper script, Mr. Smith would excel (I feel). But slaughtering the story for the sake of box-office bucks is what seems to be going on here, and is not the fault of Will. Blame the studios, the writers and the exec's. We should at least petition for a title change... But slamming Will Smith is not the answer here.
SO we have a kind of Escape from New York thing goin' ? by RobinP	Sep 22nd, 2006 05:07:19 PM
Not too sure if I like where this one's heading.....why ONLY Manhattan....and if it WAS only Manhattan...who'd know the difference ? I think it's important that Neville be the last man on the planet, not just a city to compound his helplessness. meh - maybe we should sit this out and read the book instead.
Maybe the big cliffhanger will be that by Novaman5000	Sep 22nd, 2006 05:28:48 PM
the whole world is infected, leading to.. duh duh DUHNNNNN... the sequel.
Totally screwed up by Poacher	Sep 22nd, 2006 05:49:33 PM
They've always had the casting on this thing wrong. First Arnold, now Will Smith. Neville is an everyman and a thinking man. Like someone said, Ed Norton would be a good choice. Fifteen or twenty years ago I would have said Richard Gere or someone like that. Someone who probably would not be violent forced into a situation in order to survive. I don't like any of the scripts I've read online and I doubt this one will be much better. At the very least set it in California. From what I remember the book was set in the suburbs of what, San Francisco? What is the problem with that?
This got me thinking about the fact that the Matrix by CreasyBear	Sep 22nd, 2006 05:53:09 PM
role of Neo was first offered to the Fresh Prince (and turned down so he could do Wild Wild West and The Legend of Bagger Vance). Keanu cannot act, but that was his strength in the Matrix movies. Will Smith crackin' off zippy one-liners to Agent Smith? Can't imagine that.
I Am Dissapointed: Your Will Smith Comments... by uberman	Sep 22nd, 2006 05:58:25 PM
Will Smith is not an actor. He is a brand name that does a certain type of thing very well. He seems to be more focused on making WILL SMITH (TM) look cool and hot and uber neato than he does in making real movies where his larger than life personality takes over a movie and it becomes another WILL SMITH(TM) vehicle instead of a film dealing with a particular subject. In this case, we are talking about source material that is delicate, intimate and plays to a certain crowd expectation. WILL SMITH (TM) fans are not the type of demographic that would skew to this type of film, hence we believe after being burned again and again and seeing this type of casting error again and again that this film will not longer be about the story, but will become a WILL SMITH (TM) vehicle to ENSURE that it attracts the WILL SMITH (TM) core demographic of moviegoer in order for the suits to believe they will gvet paid and basically, fuck the source material. Insert dog jokes, dripping sarcasm, faltering shots of WILL SMITH (TM) oiled and shirtless, bass ass hot rod car, hot vampire chick, bullet time gun fight, hip hop sound track, love interest, and happy ending. Heres what I say to your argument about us waiting to see the film before 'rushing' to judgement: "Those who forget the lessons of the past (his track record) are condemened to repeat them (get suckered into believing that this time it will be different)."
I still say Paul Giamatti by FluffyUnbound	Sep 22nd, 2006 06:04:06 PM
You can't get more everyman than that. And what each of the existing adaptations has lacked is the sense that the isolation is driving Neville CRAZY, mainly because Vincent Price always seems crazy [so you don't notice any difference] and because that wasn't the way Heston saw the character. Who can do everyman being crushed by neurosis and hopelessness better than Giamatti? But now it's too late, because Auhelno has got the role and the script has been Irobotized.
I Am Going To Have To Make This Movie, Aren't I? by ZeroCorpse	Sep 22nd, 2006 06:13:07 PM
Even if I can't get the rights, I can change the names a bit (ala Murnau's Noaferatu) and film something that stays true to the spirit and story in the original book. I'm sorely disappointed in whomever is handling this project- The story is RIGHT THERE in front of them, perfect as-is, and they feel the need to fuck with it and add their signature to it. Fuck you! Respect Matheson's work, dammit! And my casting choice- if I were a big director- would have been Michael Wincott or (if Wincott weren't available) Dennis Leary. I stand by that. Fuck Will Smith. Everything he touches turns to mass-appeal crap.
Theme Song by teammember8	Sep 22nd, 2006 06:27:13 PM
"Yo, when darkness falls I bring the light, I'm the baddest thing to stalk the night, when daybreak comes and dawn is near, that's when the vampires got the fear, they say I am Legend, I say So What, If a Legend means doin' time alone, then that's my nut..."
Other Casting Suggestions by teammember8	Sep 22nd, 2006 06:31:26 PM
Jeff Goldblum as Neville.
This is gonna have some really good wisecracking, I bet. by JAGUART	Sep 22nd, 2006 07:29:48 PM
Yes. It will be very fly.
response to uberman by SLURPIEGOD	Sep 22nd, 2006 07:43:54 PM
Ok, I can see this as being a "vechicle", and I don't argue with your assesment of his current carrer status. Maybe it was just wishful thinking, but it's been years since "Six Degrees" and that Will Smith is probably gone forever. However, I don't blame him for the mis-treatment of one of our favorite books. I'm sure if he had turned it down, whatever "hot" star was the flavor-of-the-month would have fell right in. It's also annoying to beleive that the powers that be saw this as only a "vechicle" for him, when any dime store cop-buddy script would have served the same purpose. The studio just did'nt realize what property they had here, and now they're throwing it away. As a demographic, are intelligent fans of classic "horror-survival" too small to make a difference to hollywood?
The Fresh Prince of apocalyptic bel-air... by Alonzo Mosely	Sep 22nd, 2006 07:49:52 PM
Now this is the story all about how My life got flipped, turned upside down And Id like to take a minute just sit right there Ill tell you how I became the only survivor in a town called bel-air In west philadelfia born and raised On the playground where I spent most of my days Chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool And all shooting some b-ball outside of the school When a couple of vampires were up in no good Started making trouble in my neighbourhood I got in one little fight and my mom got scared And said youre moving with your aunte and uncle in bel-air I begged and pleaded with her the other day But she packed my suitcase and sent me on my way She gave me a kissin and she gave me my ticket I put my walkman on and said I might aswell kick it First class, yo this is bad, Drinking orange juice out of a champagne glass Is this what the people of bel-air livin like, Hmm this might be alright! I whistled for a cab and when it came near the Licensplate said fresh and had a rottin' corpse in the mirror If anything I could say that this cab was rare But I thought now forget it, yo home to bel-air I pulled up to a house about seven or eight And I yelled to the corpse yo, home smell you later Looked at my kingdom I was finally there To settle my throne as the prince of a post apocalyptic waste land
"Welcome to Manhattan, vampires!" by Uncapie	Sep 22nd, 2006 09:01:10 PM
"Name's Neville, I make stakes on a bevel. I get busy in a Burger King. Gonna kill me some vamps! Gotta turn up my amps! Vamps! Amps ! I'm stylin'! Go wyldin'! No vamps gonna get me!" Gonna cut 'em in the gizzard while drainin' my lizard! Do the vampty-vamp! Do the vampty-vamp!" Riiiiiiight...
Yo! It's Two-Thousand Se-ven, And I Am Le-gend by teammember8	Sep 23rd, 2006 03:26:46 AM
Maybe if enough fake "I Am Legend" lyrics get made up it will send Smith into writer's block...thereby delaying the movie's release. Or, at least, keep him from plucking yet another five-figure paycheck from the steamy, meaty filling of this bowel-scalding eyeless abortion pie.
I AM DISAPPOINTED... by Otter	Sep 23rd, 2006 06:53:26 AM
WILL SMITH (TM) just keeps ruining my childhood. He raped me with Wild Wild West, and then did me again with I, Robot. WILL SMITH (TM) just needs to go away.
Enough with the Will Smith hate, already by DrFarben	Sep 23rd, 2006 06:55:52 AM
Yeah, none of us want "Big Willie" as Neville, but I bet you, it wasn't due to him that the screenplay is completely different from the novel.
Then why call it "I Am Legend" then? by Uncapie	Sep 23rd, 2006 08:02:30 AM
Fucking Hollywood...
He's only getting a 5 figure paycheck? by FluffyUnbound	Sep 23rd, 2006 12:25:26 PM
Damn, Will needs a new agent...
To Francis Lawrence: by Orbots Commander	Sep 23rd, 2006 12:35:57 PM
Hey pal, you will have earned yourself much good will for your future projects from sci-fi/action/horror fans if you could do one simple thing---change this movie's title. Call it Omega-Man or call it whatever you want. Just don't call it I AM LEGEND.
I'm so out of the loop by Bass Ackwards	Sep 23rd, 2006 01:11:42 PM
I hadn't even realized this had progressed out of years of development hell, much less was actually filming.
response to Bass Ackwards by SLURPIEGOD	Sep 23rd, 2006 01:42:21 PM
I would have preferred a few more years of development hell as opposed to what we're going to get now, which seems like nothing more than a remake of a bad adaptation. And yes, I love Charlton Heston as much as the next guy (In a brotherly way, of course) but "I Am Legend" has never acuratley been brought to the screen, with LMOE being the closest attempt. They should have stopped there, or really invested time in making a truthfull adaptation. Has anyone out there started a petition to get a name change? Do you think it would matter? Should we try?
They will have to change the name... by chrisd	Sep 23rd, 2006 02:05:23 PM
because not many words rhyme with Legend: "I AM LEGEND! I have a hedge fund. Nothin's alive not even a pigeon. Ripoff, tipoff, tear my lip off." I wonder what Stevie Wonder song he'll bastardize for this movie.
5 Figures by teammember8	Sep 23rd, 2006 02:58:50 PM
I'd really hate to think that he'd be paid millions for producing a theme song on top of millions for acting. 6 figures, then? I'm naive, I admit. But, God, if they're paying millions...give the theme-work to John Vanderslice.
I AM LEGEND SPOILER!! by treewarrior	Sep 23rd, 2006 03:58:23 PM
i was in high school and one of the first pieces of fiction that had me burst out crying was i am legend, the scene where the dog dies. man, that freaked me out. all that work to adopt the dog and then he dies from the disease.
Calling "The Omega Man" would be better... by chrisd	Sep 23rd, 2006 04:26:15 PM
AM I THE ALPHA MAN, NO! AM I THE BETA MAN, NO! AM I THE GAMMA MAN, NO! AM I THE DELTA MAN, NO!...AM I THE PSI MAN, NO! AM THE OMEGA MAN, YEAH!
I warned everyone... by Frgl_Rockatansky	Sep 23rd, 2006 04:27:21 PM
...that this film was going to suck major dick when they cast Big Willie. Now, if this synopsis is true, that has been totally confirmed.
I agree, Brycemonkey by Jackson Healy	Sep 23rd, 2006 06:00:10 PM
Guys like Moto think they're the shit until they try their hand at screenwriting. It ain't that easy when you're up against a system in which rookier readers are encouraged by their seniors to "pass on everything until you've got at least a year under your belt." That Ezterhas made it and made it big is testament to his talent. Aside from BASIC INSTINCT, he also wrote probably one of the best procedural/courtroom dramas ever in JAGGED EDGE. TV crime procedurals like CSI and its ilk are forever indebted to that movie. Then he captured the country's Zeitgeist with BETRAYED (this was before Timothy McVeigh and the OK bombing, you have to remember), and any motherfucker who can turn a scribbled on soiled napkin into $4 million goes right into my cool book, no probationary period necessary. I'm sure guys like Moto are wannabees trying to break in. I'd just love to see them post pages of their scripts up here or elsewhere. It's one thing to be a good writer. It's something else entirely to get your stuff made. But to be a good writer and get your shit made? A miracle.
EEEEEEVIIIIL! EEEEEEEVIIIIL! by thecomedian	Sep 23rd, 2006 07:25:20 PM
I hope they're not going chicken shit on Neville being the last man on Earth. This sounds more and more like an Omega Man remake. Which is fine since I love the Omega Man. But Matheson's book deserves a faithful remake after two versions have already been made that weren't completely faithful. Mainly I'd like to see Neville fight VAMPIRES on screen for once. And not good looking trendy fop Vampire we've seen since on TV with Buffy and in films like Blade and Interview. I want to ugly frightening vampires like on this cover http://www.horrormagazine.it/i mgbank/NEWS/031286504x.01.lzzz zzzz.jpg I want to see Ben Cartman and his gang of blood suckers taunting Neville outside of his house. I want to the flashbacks to before the war when Cartman and Neville were friends. I want to see the heartbreaking flashback where Neville's wife comes back as a vampire and he has to kill her. This book if seriously done would be one of the truly great American films period. Instead we're getting Will Smith doing a riff on Heston driving around NYC in the Starskee and Hutch mobile. If they're just going to remake Omega Man then they damn well better get that right then. Matheius and The Family were pretty creepy on their own merits. Maybe this time around instead of being an anchorman in his past he can be a TV preacher or something.
Last Man on Earth by resrvordog	Sep 23rd, 2006 09:35:57 PM
Just to be clear, while LMOE is a closer adaptation to the book than The Omega Man, it strays significantly in that Price plays a scientist involved in studying the plague prior to his becoming the last man alive. A key element that makes the book so powerful is that Matheson's Neville is an everyman - he is not a brilliant scientist. That he learns the science to study and ultimately understand the vampire phenomenon is one of the fascinating developments of the character.
I am........not going to see this by NovaBlue	Sep 24th, 2006 02:39:17 AM
Its all about the dollars, Bet none of the studio have read the story and have just watched The Omega man. sux "Come out fresh prince"
the last time this happened... by JackLint	Sep 24th, 2006 07:00:14 PM
was with I, Robot. hmm.... Will Smith was in that movie too. I wonder if there's any significance to that? Too bad. Constantine was awesome. This would have been good too.
JimmyJoe RedSky by lynxpro	Sep 24th, 2006 09:00:19 PM
I suggested Kurt Russell for the role back in 98 here on AICN when Schwarzenegger dropped out of the project. And for a time, Russell was in consideration for the role.
sdfg by Exeter	Oct 9th, 2006 04:06:18 PM
yesssr obob test
test by Darkling	Feb 21st, 2008 05:44:57 PM
test test
Darkling has no knowledge of such things Orcus... by just pillow talk	Feb 27th, 2008 08:48:28 AM
So...have you created any worm holes yet at NYU?
aaaahhh....gotcha by just pillow talk	Feb 27th, 2008 01:47:24 PM
Notice any paranormal activity then?
some would still call that paranormal activity by just pillow talk	Feb 27th, 2008 02:44:33 PM
not all campuses are created equally! :-)
that's one thing I'm looking forward to... by just pillow talk	Feb 29th, 2008 10:52:43 AM
regarding taking classes again. The school I go to never fails to deliver in hotness.

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