Will Smith, the renowned actor set to star in the highly anticipated sequel to the 2007 post-apocalyptic thriller I Am Legend, has made a public statement declining a request from his agency, WME, to feature Meghan Markle, the former actress and ex-royal, in the upcoming film.
According to sources, WME, which represents both Smith and Markle, had been urging Smith to consider casting Markle as his love interest in I Am Legend 2, scheduled for release in 2024.
The agency hoped that this role would serve as a comeback for Markle, who retired from acting in 2017 following her marriage to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
However, Smith was unimpressed by Markle’s acting credentials and firmly refused to accept her as his co-star.
He allegedly conveyed to WME that he believes Markle is not a genuine actress, attributing her fame solely to her royal connections.
Furthermore, Smith expressed his lack of respect for her as an artist and emphasized his desire to distance himself from any association with her.
In his opinion, Markle lacks the talent and charisma required to convincingly portray a character in a sci-fi action movie.
Smith stated his preference for collaborating with individuals who have proven themselves in the industry and possess a genuine passion for acting.
Smith’s rejection of Markle deals a significant blow to her aspirations of revitalizing her acting career, which has remained stagnant since her departure from Suits, the legal drama series that propelled her to household fame.
Since marrying Prince Harry and joining the British royal family in 2018, Markle has not appeared in any films or television shows.
However, in 2020, she and Harry announced their decision to step back as senior royals and relocate to California, where they secured lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify.
Despite the challenges she has faced, Markle has expressed her strong desire to return to acting, citing her yearning for the creative process and the thrill of portraying diverse characters.
However, her ambitions have been met with skepticism and criticism from numerous individuals who accuse her of being an opportunistic fame-seeker who exploited her royal status to advance her career.
Additionally, some of her former co-stars and colleagues have come forward, claiming that she was difficult to work with and treated them poorly.
Markle has vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that she has always maintained a professional and respectful demeanor on set.
The sequel to I Am Legend, aptly titled I Am Legend 2, will continue the story of Robert Neville, played by Smith, the last surviving human in a world ravaged by a global plague that transformed most of the population into zombie-like creatures.
The sequel will explore the alternate ending of the first film, where Robert realizes that the infected possess intelligence and joins forces with other survivors in a camp.
Drawing inspiration from the novel and video game The Last of Us, the sequel will delve into the notion that humanity’s reign as the dominant species is over.
While Markle’s fans have rallied behind her, extolling her acting abilities and humanitarian endeavors, they have also expressed their enthusiasm for her forthcoming projects with Netflix and Spotify, which are expected to showcase her unique voice and vision.