Will Smith has always been known for his charismatic presence on screen, but his recent comments about his canine co-star in “I Am Legend” have added a new layer to his charm. During an episode of “Hot Ones” released on June 6, the 55-year-old actor shared his admiration for Abbey, the German Shepherd who played his character’s loyal companion in the 2007 post-apocalyptic film.
Smith, who portrayed Dr. Robert Neville, the last man standing in a Manhattan overrun by vampire-like creatures, revealed to host Sean Evans that he was so taken with Abbey that he attempted to adopt her. “It was like Abbey spoke English,” Smith said, marveling at the dog’s intelligence and training. “She literally could understand you, it was the weirdest thing.”
Despite his efforts, Smith was unable to bring Abbey home. “Abby was the breadwinner of her family,” he joked, explaining that the talented dog had to stay with her trainers. Smith’s admiration for Abbey didn’t stop there; he went on to describe her as a “brilliant actress” who performed her stunts with remarkable precision.
One particular scene that stood out to Smith involved his character having to choke the injured dog. “Abbey’s doing that,” he said, referring to the dog’s ability to convincingly play dead. “A dog trainer trained Abbey to go limp, and I laid her down. How do you train a dog to go limp?” he asked, still in awe of her skills.
Smith’s praise for Abbey comes as fans eagerly await the sequel to “I Am Legend,” which was first announced in 2022. The sequel will feature Michael B. Jordan, who has also expressed his excitement about working with Smith. “I think it’s looking good,” Smith told Entertainment Tonight in May. “We have some really solid ideas… I think we’re going to make it on screen together. That dude is the truth, so I would love to do that.”
Jordan echoed Smith’s sentiments in a June interview with PEOPLE, stating that the team is still working on the script to ensure it meets their high standards. “It doesn’t have a release date or anything like that. I’m not sure exactly where we’re going to be filming that one, but I’m really excited to get in front of the camera with [Smith],” he said.
The “Black Panther” star also shared his admiration for Smith, whom he has looked up to for a long time. “Being somebody that I’ve looked up to for a really long time, to be able to work with Will is something I’m really looking forward to. I’m really excited,” Jordan added.
Adapted from Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel, “I Am Legend” was directed by Francis Lawrence and grossed $585 million worldwide. The story follows Dr. Robert Neville as he navigates a desolate New York City, trying to find a cure for the virus that has decimated humanity. The sequel will reportedly ignore the film’s original ending, where Neville sacrifices himself, and instead follow the alternate ending from the DVD release, where he survives.
Smith confirmed this change, stating, “So we are going with the mythology of the DVD version where my character lived.” While the sequel’s release date remains unknown, fans are eagerly anticipating the return of Dr. Robert Neville and the continuation of his story.
As for Abbey, her legacy as one of Hollywood’s most talented canine actors is firmly cemented, thanks in no small part to Smith’s heartfelt praise. “It was like working with a brilliant actress,” he said, a sentiment that will undoubtedly resonate with fans of the film and dog lovers alike.
