Will Smith to make ‘big-screen return with I Am Legend sequel’

• Will Smith will return to the big screen with a sequel to I Am Legend.
• Smith is rumored to be self-producing the sequel to the 2007 post-apocalyptic drama.
• He will reprise his role as virologist Robert Neville in the film.

According to rumors, Will Smith will return to the big screen with a sequel to I Am Legend.

In the wake of his 10-year ban from the Academy following his altercation with Chris Rock at this year’s Oscars, the Oscar-winning actor, 53, is rumored to be self-producing the sequel to the 2007 post-apocalyptic drama.

Smith will reprise his role as virologist Robert Neville in the film, which will be produced by his own production firm, Westbrook Media.

Smith appeared alongside Emma Thompson and Willow in the original picture, which was based on Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel of the same name.

Read more: Will Smith is preparing for a massive new cinematic return following his Oscar snub

When a lethal mutant virus infects 99 percent of the Earth’s population, Smith plays scientist Neville, who is one of humanity’s last remaining survivors.

‘The script is being developed with his role in mind, and Will is still attached to the project,’ a source close to the project told.

‘Warner Brothers has yet to sign off on the premise, but there has been no hint that Will has dropped out of the film.’

Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Richard Williams, the father of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, in King Richard earlier this year.

Read more: Jaden Smith, Will Smith’s son, claims that his mother, Jada Pinkett Smith, rejected down Tupac Shakur’s proposal

The ceremony, however, was overshadowed by controversy when Smith violently confronted host and comedian Rock after the latter made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada’s alopecia.

The I Am Legend revelation comes after it was revealed that Rock is disregarding Jada Pinkett-plea Smith’s for them to reconcile following the Oscars snub.

Rock is currently ‘not bothered about the Smiths’ and is ‘busy travelling and preparing for a comedy special.’

Smith is still involved to the Peacock series Bel-Air, a 2022 dramatic version of the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, as an executive producer.

He’ll also be producing and starring in Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming historical drama Emancipation.

“The public’s unfavorable perceptions of his career have undoubtedly waned in recent weeks,” the insider said.

“Thanks to events like the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial, the world has moved on. Will is getting counselling and is taking a break from the spotlight.”

Read more: Jada Pinkett Smith comments  on Will Smith’s Oscars incident

Sony film boss Tom Rothman refuted claims that Bad Boys 4 production had been halted following the Oscars incident.

“That movie’s been in development and still is,’ he told a panel at CinemaCon back in April 2022.”

“[The Oscars incident] was a very unfortunate thing… That was an example of a very good person having a very bad moment in front of the world.”

“I believe his apology and regret is genuine, and I believe in forgiveness and redemption.”