the novel in several ways, removing the infected people's vampiric characteristics, except their sensitivity to light. In this version, the infected are portrayed as nocturnal, black-robed, albino mutants, known as the Family. Though intelligent, they eschew modern technology, believing it (and those who use it, such as Neville) to be evil and the cause of humanity's downfall. I Am Legend In 2007, a third adaptation of the novel was produced, this time titled I Am Legend. Directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Will Smith as Robert Neville, this film uses both Matheson's novel and the 1971 Omega Man film as its sources. This adaptation also deviates significantly from the novel. In this version, the infection is caused by a vaccine originally intended to cure cancer. Some vampiric elements are retained, such as sensitivity to UV light and attraction to blood. The infected are portrayed as nocturnal, feral creatures of limited intelligence who hunt the uninfected with berserker-like rage. Other creatures, such as dogs, are also infected by the virus. The ending of the film was also altered to portray Neville as sacrificing his life to save humanity, rather than being executed for crimes against the surviving vampiric humans, although a deleted ending for the film was closer in spirit to the book. The film takes place in New York City in 2009 and 2012 rather than Los Angeles in 1975–1977. See also Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction The Last Man (Mary Shelley novel) Survivalism Vampire literature Zombie References External links The I Am Legend Archive 1954 American novels 1954 science fiction novels Fiction set in 1976 Novels set in the 1970s American novels adapted into films American post-apocalyptic novels American horror novels American vampire novels Gold Medal Books books Novels about suicide Novels about viral outbreaks Novels by Richard Matheson Novels set in Los Angeles Science fiction horror novels Science fiction novels adapted into films