Will Smith has successfully navigated his return to major Hollywood projects, having been largely absolved by the industry and his dedicated fanbase. This follows a highly publicized incident years ago where Smith slapped Oscars host Chris Rock during the ceremony, just moments before accepting his first Best Actor award. Despite subsequently receiving a 10-year ban from The Academy, Smith quickly made his comeback, starring in the Oscar contender "Emancipation" mere months after the event. His recent box office success includes the $400-million-grossing "Bad Boys: Ride or Die," further cementing his return to prominence.

Smith is now set to reprise one of his most beloved roles in an eagerly anticipated sequel: "I Am Legend." The original science fiction thriller, released in 2007, was directed by Francis Lawrence and based on a book by the esteemed sci-fi writer Richard Matheson. It proved to be a significant commercial success, grossing $585 million worldwide against a reported budget of $150 million, with one particular scene alone reportedly costing $5 million to produce.

"I Am Legend" captivated audiences with its post-apocalyptic setting, centering on the last human alive in a desolate New York City, a character masterfully portrayed by Will Smith. The film holds a 68% score on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics lauded Smith's performance, stating the film "overcomes questionable special effects and succeeds largely on the strength of Will Smith's mesmerizing performance."

Nearly two decades after its theatrical debut, "I Am Legend" recently experienced a notable surge in viewership, ranking among the most-watched movies on domestic iTunes charts, according to FlixPatrol. This renewed interest highlights the film's enduring appeal. A curious detail from the pre-social media era also resurfaced: an "Easter Egg" within the film featured a Times Square billboard advertising a "Batman versus Superman" movie, predating Zack Snyder's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" by nearly a decade. That later superhero film, starring Ben Affleck as Batman and Henry Cavill as Superman, went on to gross over $800 million worldwide.

The upcoming "I Am Legend" sequel promises an exciting new chapter. Will Smith is confirmed to return, and the project will be helmed by Steven Caple Jr., known for directing "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts." Adding to the anticipation, Oscar-nominated actor Michael B. Jordan is also set to join the cast, potentially as an Oscar-winner himself by the time of the sequel's release. The film's original cast included Willow Smith, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, and Alice Braga, with Akiva Goldsman and Mark Protosevich credited as writers for the 101-minute drama, horror, sci-fi, and thriller.