After years of experiencing development hell, the project found new life in 2006 with Smith signing on for the lead role. The 2007 post-apocalyptic thriller I Am Legendis loosely based on the Richard Matheson novel of the same name and follows US Army Virologist Robert Neville as he is seemingly the last human left in New York City, and must battle for survival against nocturnal cannibalistic mutants. Needless to say, the versatile star was up to the job at the first time of asking.” The romantic comedy genre is often lacking in diversity, and that’s what makes Hitch such a knockout for moviegoers: its leads are an African American and Cuban-American, and is refreshing for audiences to see a powerful interracial couple. The Herald Sun praised the actor for taking on the role, proclaiming, “Will Smith’s first-ever rom-com. Will Smith serves up some major charm and humor for the rom-com flick, which was a hit with audiences and raked in over $350 million. The film co-stars Eva Mendes as Sara and Kevin James as the shy accountant Albert, whom Hitch takes on as a client. When the smooth-talking Hitch falls for the cynical columnist Sara Melas, he discovers that his seemingly foolproof game doesn’t work on the writer. The 2005 romantic comedy Hitchstars Will Smith as date doctor Alex “Hitch” Hitchens, a man who makes a living teaching men how to successfully woo women.
