Lifestyle | Will Smith Legend Science a Little Shaky The idea of this killer virus is 'far-fetched,' says one expert By Laurel Jorgensen Posted Dec 19, 2007 11:38 AM CST Copied Actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith arrive at the premiere of "I Am Legend" at Madison Square Garden, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer) (Associated Press) A man-made virus has turned people into mutants and killed off the rest. Downtown New York City looks like a jungle, and the only man left on the planet is trying to reverse the plague using his immune blood. So how realistic is the premise of Will Smith’s new blockbuster I Am Legend? Surprise! Not very, experts tell Popular Mechanics. While a wildlife expert says animals and plants would certainly settle in a post-apocalyptic NYC, one of the world’s top virologists says the virus storyline is “pretty far-fetched.” Viruses don’t mutate and become airborne, and the main character’s attempt to find a cure in his own blood “doesn’t make any sense,” he says. As for the mutants: “This is Hollywood. That’s all I can say.” Read These Next Defense officials react to Hegseth's Quantico meeting. Government shutdown is here. Here's what to expect. President asks nation's top generals to loosen up. Colorado wants to give 'peace of mind' on Hunter S. Thompson. Report an error