A controversy is brewing about the alternate ending of “I Am Legend.” The alternate ending is being released as part of the DVD package on March 18, but has already leaked onto the Net, causing a huge debate on which ending is better.
WARNING: The rest of this article contains spoilers.
Although neither ending is the same as the Richard Matheson novel the movie is based on, the theater version comes closer.
The new ending is the typical, happy “Hollywood ending” many of us have come to expect. Moviegoers would have left the theater feeling much different.
As difficult as the theatrical ending is, with Will Smith‘s character sacrificing himself for the greater good of humanity, it is also a more moving ending.
The one thing that stands out in the alternate ending, that would have been a nice addition to the theatrical version, is the human touch given to the dark seekers. You see that these creatures, although an abomination, are at the core, human. And you see the remorse of Smith’s character for killing so many of them. The wall plastered with photos of the dead is a nice touch.
View alternate ending of “I Am Legend” below.