One of Bad Boys' Mike Lowrey.
Not all of Smith's characters are brash, wisecracking tough guys, and Dr. Robert Neville from I Am Legend might be the best example of that to date. When Smith was cast in the role, some of his detractors were quick to suggest that he wouldn't be believable as a genius scientist, but once the film finally released, critics raved, and made no secret of the fact that Smith was a big reason why.
Spending the first half of I Am Legend believing himself to be the literal last man on Earth, Smith's Neville is tasked with carrying the film on his back, and does so quite ably. Smith took the character seriously, and did his research to make sure he brought Robert Neville to life in an accurate way.
Will Smith Focused On Real Life Sources For I Am Legend Role
Will Smith's performance as Robert Neville in I Am Legend, especially during the scenes where the character is alone, is presented very realistically, and purposefully designed to not get over the top or unintentionally comedic. To accomplish this, Smith spoke extensively to a former prisoner who had spent time in solitary confinement, and another person who had once been a prisoner of war. They told Smith that sticking to a set daily schedule helped to avoid losing touch with reality after long periods being confined or alone, which was incorporated into Smith's take on Neville.
Smith also wanted his bond with Neville's dog Sam to feel genuine, as the animal had been his only companion for several years. To do this, Smith arranged to spend time alone with Sam, doing activities a person and their dog would normally do, as a way to try and quickly form an attachment. Amusingly, Smith became so fond of Abbey, the dog playing Sam, that he unsuccessfully tried to adopt her after the shoot. Finally, to make himself believable as a skilled virologist, Smith paid a visit to the CDC in Atlanta, so that he could pick the brains of real-life medical geniuses. For all the flack Smith sometimes gets, one can't say he didn't give I Am Legend his all.
