ROTTEN TOMATOES: "I Am Legend" Spends $5M... On One Scene

"I Am Legend" Spends $5M... On One Scene

by Jen Yamato | April 26, 2007

Get ready for what must be one helluva flashback scene in Will Smith's sci-fi actioner, "I Am Legend" -- reports say a single scene has cost at least (and possibly more than) $5 million to shoot.

How, you ask, is it even possible to spend not one, not two, but five million dollars to film only one itty bitty scene? Well, the answer is that it's not so itty bitty -- rather large, in fact, since it was shot on location at New York City's Brooklyn Bridge for six straight nights, with over 2,000 cast and crew and auxiliary persons on hand (that's a huge craft service bill right there).

The Hollywood Reporter breaks the enormous Warner Bros. production down to explain just how this could happen: an apocalyptic mass evacuation scene; thousands of extras; lighting rigs everywhere along the bridge; freezing cold temperatures; military-issue vehicles, boats, and helicopters involved in the shoot.

Smith in "I Am Legend"

Based on Richard Matheson's book of the same name (which was also made into "The Last Man On Earth" and "The Omega Man"), "I Am Legend" stars Will Smith as a survivor of a worldwide epidemic that turns people into vampires. It was already shaping up to be an uber-cool, futuristic sci-fi vehicle for Smith (he nailed the sci-fi hero thing in "I, Robot"); director Francis Lawrence ("Constantine," J.Lo's "Waiting For Tonight" music video) was working with an already high $150 million budget. But $5 million to film one scene, and a flashback scene at that? The "Legend" production is already carving out a reputation for high expenses, so let's hope it's $5 million well spent.

"I Am Legend" is scheduled for release December 14, 2007.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Related Items

Celeb:	Will Smith
	Francis Lawrence
Movie:	I Am Legend

(1-20 of 57 posts) | Reply

Typhoon20 writes:
on Apr 26 2007 02:01 AM

[b]50/50[/b]
This movie is either going to be really good, or really bad.
I'm hoping that it's going to be really good, although lawrence is a mystery at this point.

(Reply to this)

GreenBastard writes:
on Apr 26 2007 02:56 AM

I so hope it's GOOD! I cant wait. And NO Martin Lawrence, even better!

(Reply to this)

frogleg writes:
on Apr 26 2007 05:34 AM

I don't know anything about the director, but it's a project about which I've been curious for a really long time. I hope it ends up being a good movie.

(Reply to this)

mojodaddy writes:
on Apr 26 2007 05:42 AM

If this is going to be anywhere near as pleasant of a surprise as I,Robot, then I can't wait.

(Reply to this)

dscott13 writes:
on Apr 26 2007 06:23 AM

Just for your information, the film is actually based on the book "I Am Legend" by Richard Matheson. Great book. I hope this pans out well.

(Reply to this)

blank blank writes:
on Apr 26 2007 06:35 AM

200 mil in the bank easy

(Reply to this)

grasshopper_lies_heavy writes:
on Apr 26 2007 06:42 AM

Read what dscott2006 wrote. Highly recommended book.
The author of this article should get his facts straight next time...

(Reply to this)

cgcbooks writes:
on Apr 26 2007 06:47 AM

They are probably paying Smith 20 million so I doubt 5 million for one scene is so bad.

(Reply to this)

derrickec writes:
on Apr 26 2007 07:21 AM

[b]Insulting[/b]
That's completely insulting that you would say "I Am Legend" is based off of "The Omega Man." Richard Matheson's brilliant book is the basis for both movies, and hopefully "Legend" will get it right this time. Do your homework.

(Reply to this)

SpikesInMySkull writes:
on Apr 26 2007 07:39 AM

I'm very skeptical about this project, if done right (and by done right, I mean done in any way that it doesn't miss the ENTIRE point of the novel) then it will not at all be the typical Will Smith vehicle, and most of you (particularly those used to a family-friendly Will Smith) probably aren't going to like it.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about being a true scene-per scene faithful adaptation here, as far as I'm concerned they can change everything, as long as the novel's core message is intact, because that message is the point, and if you change that, there is no point, it's not I Am Legend, it's just Will Smith Vs. The Vampires and frankly, that's fine but it's painful to see such utter disregard for our own culture and literature.

Yes. For everyone who wants to say I'm being over-critical here, there ARE more important things than just watching an enjoyable movie. I relize you may not read much, hell I don't read much... but classic novels are part of our cultural heritage and should be revered.

And for the record, if this movie is faithful to the novel, it will greatly increase my respect for Will Smith, because it will take him in a new direction, but I don't think it will make much money, because the target audiance is not going to like it.

(Reply to this)

Pumpkinking14 writes:
on Apr 26 2007 08:11 AM

[b]Smith Nailed Sci-Fi hero???[/b]
Saying that Smith nailed the sci-fi hero thing in I, Robot is like saying John Travolta nailed the biker thing in Wild Hogs....they may have gotten their performances right, but the movies were terrible.

there are two types of Will Smith performances: The wise-cracking Independence Day/I, Robot Will Smith (annoying) and the thoughtful, dramatic Pursuit of Happyness Will Smith (Where he really shines as an actor). If you're familiar with the source material at all, you know that this film requires the latter performance for it to be worthy of the novel.

(Reply to this)

Matanuki writes:
on Apr 26 2007 08:13 AM

In reply to this comment (#862795)
You are right on all counts, my friend. And as a writer, it's refreshing to see someone else clamoring for the importance of revering our literary herritage. But have faith in project. They might just get it right.

(Reply to this)

Prosper761 writes:
on Apr 26 2007 08:15 AM

Imagine if that money was spent on feeding the hungry, educating the poor or eradicating disease. How many lives would $5 million have saved? There is something very wrong with our values, when more money is spent on 120 minutes of mindless entertainment than on a weeks' worth of medical research.

(Reply to this)

Merlin235 writes:
on Apr 26 2007 08:21 AM

In reply to this comment (#862798)
Do you realize that the $5million is borrowed money, and the studio is hoping for a return on that investment? How about you go borrow $5million and give it away, and then you can pay that debt off for the rest of your life. It's pretty easy to sit back and judge people, isn't it?
Anyways, how many scenes are in the average movie anyways? If Spiderman 3 cost $250, and every scene cost $5million, then what is that, 50 scenes or so? I wonder what the average cost would be on the average film.

(Reply to this)

RandomVirus writes:
on Apr 26 2007 09:03 AM

In reply to this comment (#862794)
Effing A right.

(Reply to this)

brownitus writes:
on Apr 26 2007 09:29 AM

Hahaha you herbs and your anal-ytical nonsense. No one gives a fuck about being "faithful" to a book or whatever. It's a business, ya 20-something college potheads. Will Smith is usually in solid movies, this looks dope.

And Prosper, why don't YOU go make your own money and then YOU can do whatever the fuck YOU want to do with it? Crazy idea, huh?

(Reply to this)

Kid_Ikarus writes:
on Apr 26 2007 09:39 AM

In reply to this comment (#862801)
If the posters on this page constitute as "no-one", then you are definitly correct, sir.

Don't be such a PRICK.

(Reply to this)

arendr writes:
on Apr 26 2007 09:41 AM

In reply to this comment (#862798)
i think the denfense budget is a more offensive use of money that could be better spent than this.

you're attacking money spent on an art form? come on now.

i just wish i could get some of that money for my projects.

(Reply to this)

blank blank writes:
on Apr 26 2007 10:11 AM

whats up with all these "we should stop making movies and spend money on our poor and huddled masses" posts on RT. this is a movie website where people talk about MOVIES. you want to talk about third world aid and curing cancer go to unicef or something. somebody needs to go all south park on the next person who suggests we should turn hollywood sets into homeless shelters.

anyhow, i havent read the source material (ive heard good things though), but i agree that it shouldnt be i robot with vampires instead of robots... but its a big budget will smith action movie, so even though i expect it to be an enjoyable but harmless popcorn flick (and make no doubt about it, it will make a ton of money), i hope it isnt stereotypical b.s.

(Reply to this)

blorenze writes:
on Apr 26 2007 10:15 AM

Just from looking at the pictures, it looks like Will Smith slimmed down a bit for this role. Maybe its just the wardrobe. Not a good or a bad thing, just an observation.

(Reply to this)

Related Links

Will Smith

Related Articles

Most Discussed

Latest News

Latest Interviews

Latest Features

Sponsored Links