<P> Before the film 's release , the title Seven Pounds was considered a `` mystery '' which the studio refused to explain . Early trailers for Seven Pounds kept the film 's details a mystery . Director Gabriele Muccino explained the intent : `` The ( audience ) will not know exactly what this man is up to . '' Will Smith is reported to have confirmed that the title refers to Shakespeare 's The Merchant of Venice , in which a debtor must pay a pound of flesh . In this case , it amounts to seven gifts to seven individuals deemed worthy by Smith 's character , to atone for seven deaths he caused . </P>
<P> Before the film 's release , the title Seven Pounds was considered a `` mystery '' which the studio refused to explain . Early trailers for Seven Pounds kept the film 's details a mystery . Director Gabriele Muccino explained the intent : `` The ( audience ) will not know exactly what this man is up to . '' Will Smith is reported to have confirmed that the title refers to Shakespeare 's The Merchant of Venice , in which a debtor must pay a pound of flesh . In this case , it amounts to seven gifts to seven individuals deemed worthy by Smith 's character , to atone for seven deaths he caused . </P>
where did the name seven pounds come from
where did the name seven pounds come from
the title refers to Shakespeare 's The Merchant of Venice , in which a debtor must pay a pound of flesh
the title refers to Shakespeare 's The Merchant of Venice , in which a debtor must pay a pound of flesh