LONDON: Hollywood actor Will Smith is returning to the big screen for an I Am Legend prequel.

Smith will reprise his role as Dr Robert Neville in the film that will be directed by Francis Lawrence, who also made the first film, reports thesun.co.uk.

The prequel will follow Smith’s character in the last days before and after a man-made virus wreaks havoc on New York City. A sequel was considered but later disregarded, as a new lead would have had to take centre stage, considering the fate of Smith’s role in the first film. Smith is also rumoured to have accepted a role in The Trial of the Chicago 7 alongside Kevin Spacey and Tom Hanks’ son Colin.