I Am Legend is a film that left its mark on audiences, not just for its post-apocalyptic story, but also for its controversial moments. One scene, in particular, had fans of the original story reeling in disbelief. During a recent retrospective, Will Smith opened up about the infamous moment in which his character, Dr. Robert Neville, is faced with the heartbreaking choice of killing his beloved German shepherd, Sam. This pivotal scene nearly caused a walkout during test screenings, prompting some serious conversations among the filmmakers.
In an interview with THR, Smith recalled entering a meeting with Alan Horn, head of Warner Bros., only to find images of German shepherds displayed prominently on Horn’s wall. As Horn recounted the tragic loss of his own dog, Smith and his screenwriter partner, Akiva Goldsman, quickly grasped the gravity of what they were about to pitch.
“Alan Horn is in tears, he’s crying, holding a picture of his German Shepherd and he says, ‘Guys, I promise you, your lead actor cannot choke a dog to death in an American movie.’ That seems like a fair assessment! But Akiva said, ‘stage play.’
And what happens in the shot is you just pan off, and the whole scene is just played on my face. You hear the sound of the paws, the nails scratching on the floor until they slow down and stop. It’s super painful, but the audience doesn’t have to suffer it.
[Akiva] figures out how to find that sweet spot in the middle artistically and creatively that lands the idea without destroying the audience with it.”
What This Means For I Am Legend
Some Things About I Am Legend Still Remain Controversial
Will Smith emphasized that Akiva Goldsman was his “individual, greatest cinematic collaborator.” Their partnership extended beyond I Am Legend; Goldsman was also responsible for the screenplay of I, Robot, which garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success.
The dog-killing scene remains a point of contention. While heartbreaking, it serves a narrative purpose—Neville has just battled creatures that threatened both his life and Sam’s. During the struggle, Sam is bitten, marking a tragic turn that forces Neville to confront his worst fear: the impending transformation of his loyal companion into something monstrous. The decision to end his dog’s life comes from a place of love, a desperate attempt to spare Sam from pain. Yet, this very choice pushed many viewers past their emotional limits.
Our Take On I Am Legend’s Dog Scene
The Scene Could Have Been Worse With The Original Ending
Critics pointed fingers not only at the dog scene but also at other aspects of the film that diverged from Richard Matheson’s source material. For instance, the original ending of the novelette sees Neville embracing a more tragic fate through suicide, illustrating how the infected creatures see him not as a hero, but as a villain. This darker implication amplifies the horror of his decision to kill Sam, as it frames his actions in a morally ambiguous light.
The movie, however, opts for a more redemptive arc. Neville discovers a possible cure, shifting the narrative and humanizing his actions. By steering the tale toward hope, it inadvertently lessens the tragic weight of the dog’s death, making it appear more like a mercy rather than a monstrous act. As fans await news about I Am Legend 2, the conversation surrounding these choices emphasizes not only the complexity of adaptation but also the emotional stakes involved in storytelling.
Source: THR