ROTTEN TOMATOES: Casting News on "I Am Legend" -- Plus, Depp Is Out

Casting News on "I Am Legend" -- Plus, Depp Is Out

by Scott Weinberg | September 20, 2006

Director Francis Lawrence and actor Will Smith are preparing to mount a third rendition of Richard Matheson's "I Am Legend," but one piece of gossip has been eliminated: Johnny Depp will not be starring in the flick. In related news, a pair of actresses I know nothing about have been added to the cast.

From Blackfilm.com: "While some time has gone by since we reported that Johnny Depp had been cast in the long-awaited film, "I Am Legend," with the news that Johnny had officially signed to do Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd," suffice to say we knew that he might not be in "Legend" afterall, but couldn't confirm it. It now appears that Depp is OUT.

Contrary to the rumor regarding Gabrielle Union being cast in the film, she is NOT.

Today we can DEFINITELY say that actress Salli Richardson has been cast as Ginny, the wife of Will Smith's character, and that Alice Braga (niece of legendary Brazilian actress Sonia Braga) has been cast as Anna.

"I Am Legend" is about a terrible plague that has decimated the world, and those who were unfortunate enough to survive have been transformed into blood-thirsty creatures of the night. Except, that is, for Robert Neville. He alone appears to be immune to this disease, but the grim irony is that now he is the outsider.Will Smith will be playing the role of Robert Neville."

Click here for the full report.

Related Items

Celeb:	Francis Lawrence
	Sonia Braga
	Gabrielle Union
	Richard Matheson
	Tim Burton
	Salli Richardson
	Will Smith
	Johnny Depp
	Alice Braga
Movie:	The Omega Man

(1-9 of 9 posts) | Reply

poedude99 writes:
on Sep 20 2006 10:11 AM

[b]this is the one that started it all... richard mat[/b]
this is the one that started it all... richard matheson without matheson-- no scifi channel!

i read this one when i was in high school-- awesome; after seeing omega man like 6 times and vince price's last man on earth the short book grabs you-- matheson had that steinbeckian style-- poetic and to the point.... great read as all richard matheson is; the guy was everywhere-- night gallery; movies (i think he wrote the incredible shrinking man); i think somewhere in time is a matheson story (bid time return)... Romero openly acknowledges his debt to I AM LEGEND.... i think this is a can't miss type of flick.... last man on earth and omega man are pretty good....

check out my horror stuff for no charge: www.savagerun.com

(Reply to this)

unbreakable_samurai writes:
on Sep 20 2006 10:31 AM

Well this is all shit and makes this movie way less appealing. No Depp, Union, and the addition of a couple no name actresses.

(Reply to this)

Hanniballistic writes:
on Sep 20 2006 11:54 AM

Well that sucks. I love the book, but I don't think this is going to make a good movie. Most of the dialogue is internal during the first half and they will find a way to fuck that up.

(Reply to this)

ennui79 writes:
on Sep 20 2006 03:58 PM

[b]Anyone remember I, Robot?[/b]
Just the fact that Will Smith is starring in this is enough to let me know that it will be turned from a bleak, mournful and terrifying story into a generic action/horror film with moronic one-liners, bad acting and some stupid rap song by Smith playing over the credits.

(Reply to this)

h-town24 writes:
on Sep 20 2006 05:14 PM

"Just the fact that Will Smith is starring in this is enough to let me know that it will be turned from a bleak, mournful and terrifying story into a generic action/horror film with moronic one-liners, bad acting and some stupid rap song by Smith playing over the credits." You're a moron! And unbreakable_samurai, just because they are not "big names" if you will doesn't mean well anything! Jessica Alba is a "big name" and everybody knows she pathetic at acting! Braga and Richardson are fine, fine actors. But you are a shallow star gawker so you whouldn't know that.

(Reply to this)

medicineman writes:
on Sep 20 2006 05:51 PM

One huge thumbs up for Depp's career!!!

(Reply to this)

FORIGIN writes:
on Sep 20 2006 11:42 PM

[b]No Thanks[/b]
Sounds a bit like The Stand. yawn...maybe Johnny would have made this pretty at the least.

(Reply to this)

la_resistance28 writes:
on Sep 21 2006 07:53 PM

I loved Salli Richardson as the voice of Elisa Maza in the "Gargoyles" animated series!! I haven't seen her in anything live-action, though...

(Reply to this)

unbreakable_samurai writes:
on Sep 21 2006 09:14 PM

In reply to this comment (#844653)
Whatever shut the hell up, I don't give a shit about big names. And some big names can't act, I agree, like Alba. I'm just saying that Depp, and Union have impressed me more with their work so far than Braga and Richardson. So yes with this addition and loss of actors, I think it sounds less apealing. But F U for jumping to conclusions.

(Reply to this)