Will Smith in "I Am Legend" Warner Bros.
Will Smith stated that he was not satisfied with "I Am Legend", opening in the US in 2007 with $77 million.
It also was the largest December opening for any non-Christmas release.
Smith said to Oprah Winfrey he was only excited for 30 seconds.
Will Smith stated that he was not satisfied with his film "I Am Legend", which became an instant success at the box office.
Smith starred in eight No. 1 films between 2002 and 2008. There were eight No. 1 films that grossed more than $100 million in domestic box office: "Men in Black 2," "Bad Boys 2," and "I, Robot," as well as "I, Robot", "Shake Tale," "Hitch;", "The Pursuit of Happiness;" and "Hancock."
"I Am Legend" was able to open for more than $77 million in three days in America, Smith said in a new episode on season one of Oprah Winfrey’s Apple TV+ show, "The Oprah Conversation." It was released Friday.
Oprah Winfrey interviews Will Smith. Apple
It also marked the largest December opening of a non-Christmas movie. The actor was not satisfied with the result and vividly recalled a call from James Lassiter, his manager at the time, to confirm.
"I get excited for 30 seconds and then my thoughts drift and I ask J, 'Hey J, why do you think that we missed 80?' Smith was able to recall. Smith recalled. "He said, "What?". I replied, "No, it wasn't 77. Do you think we could have changed the ending?" Because I wanted the ending feel more like Gladiator. He says, "It's probably the greatest opening in history," I don't know what you are talking about. "I'm thinking, "J, I understand that. I'm just wondering why we missed the 80."
Smith said, "It's also the only time that he ever hung on me."
The situation was described by the "Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air" star as "the subtle sickness of material success," where nothing is ever enough, and there is always a need for more.
He said, "You reach the point where even winning can be miserable because you have to now top that."
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Smith's streak of box-office success ended with 2008's film "Seven Pounds," which was overtaken by Jim Carrey’s "Yes Man” during its first weekend.
Smith shared his pain with Winfrey, "It hurt, but it was very realizing that I needed that, and that I had to detox."
Insider has the original article.
