Will Smith sets box office record with 'I am Legend'

Posted Dec 17th 2007 9:40AM by Zac Bissonnette
Filed under: Time Warner (TWX), Marketing and Advertising

Score another big success for Will Smith. His latest blockbuster, I am Legend, grossed $76.5 million in its opening weekend -- the best December opening for a movie in history.

The record take also crushes Will Smith's second best opening by nearly 50%; I, Robot, a hit by any measure, debuted with revenue of "just" $52.1 million. Not only that, but it also ranks as the best December opening of all time, beating the $72.6 million start for Lord of the Rings: Return of the King in 2003, Warner Bros., the Time Warner Inc (NYSE: TWX)-owned studio said.

And all this from a man who isn't particularly talented; he said so himself. He recently explained his success to 60 Minutes this way:

I've never really viewed myself as particularly talented. I've viewed myself as slightly above average in talent. And where I excel is ridiculous, sickening, work ethic. You know, while the other guy's sleeping? I'm working. While the other guy's eatin'? I'm working. While the other guy's making love, I mean, I'm making love, too. But I'm working really hard at it.

There's some career/life advice to pass onto your kids. Success generally requires some talent, but that's not the major factor. Most successful people have gotten there through hard work. A good work ethic might be the most important talent of all.

Tags: I am Legend, IAmLegend, inthenews, Movies, time warner, TimeWarner, twx, Will Smith, WillSmith

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-20-2007 @ 4:15AM

Bruce said...

Wow! Congratulations to Will. His movie "I Am Legend" has won such a big box office. I guess he should be very happy NOW! I have to say he deserves this big success because my favorite actor Will smith really gives great performance in the movie. I am very impressed by Will's words, it reminds me of a book I recently read--"Hard Work: Success Made Easy" written by Michael Crews : http://dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=73751 , you know, I have learned many, many wonderful, exciting and new things from Michael Crews' book. What is hard work? It is the key to success. Basically speaking, there is no secret to success. Just work...Hard Work. Yeah, I believe that Will has done like this, so he makes the big success. Good Will!