Brady Collins
The 2007 movie 'I Am Legend', starring Will Smith, is a post-apocalyptic thriller based on a novel written in the 1950s by Richard Matheson. The plot of the movie involves a genetically engineered measles cure that goes awry, infecting most of humanity and turning them into vampire-like creatures. This has led to false claims that the movie is about a vaccine failure, with some asserting that it warns against the Covid-19 vaccine. The screenwriter, Akiva Goldsman, has refuted these claims, stating that the movie is entirely fictional and that vaccines do not factor into the plot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film Name | I Am Legend |
| Film Type | Fiction |
| Plot | A genetically-altered measles virus, intended as a cure for cancer, infects most of humanity and turns them into vampire-like creatures |
| Vaccine Mentioned | No |
| Fact | The film is based on a novel written in the 1950s |
| Zombie or Vampire on CDC's side-effects list | No |
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What You'll Learn
- The Krippin Virus was a genetically-engineered cure for cancer
- KV caused rabies-like symptoms and a 90% kill rate
- KV spread from Manhattan, killing 5.4 billion people
- The remaining 9% of KV-infected people became 'Darkseekers'
- The screenwriter, Akiva Goldsman, denied the film's connection to the COVID-19 pandemic
The Krippin Virus was a genetically-engineered cure for cancer
The Krippin Virus, also known as KV, is a fictional man-made disease in the movie "I Am Legend" and its spinoff graphic novel, "I Am Legend: Awakening". The virus was genetically engineered from the measles virus by Dr. Alice Krippin as a cure for cancer. Initially, the virus appeared to be effective with no side effects, and all 10,009 patients with different strains of cancer who were treated with KV survived. However, over time, the virus began to mutate and cause rabies-like symptoms in its hosts.
The virus first broke out in December 2009 and quickly spread from Manhattan across the globe. Despite the military's efforts to contain it, KV mutated into a lethal new strain of measles with a staggering 90% kill rate and went airborne. The virus resulted in the deaths of 5.4 billion people, while those who did not die from KV either devolved into vampire-like Darkseekers or retained their human form. The Darkseekers preyed on the surviving humans, including those who were naturally immune to the virus.
In the movie, Will Smith plays a virologist who eventually discovers a cure for KV, sacrificing his life to defend it. The cure is then transported to Vermont by Anna Montez and her son Ethan. KV's transformation from a promising cancer cure to a deadly global pandemic underscores the potential risks and unintended consequences of genetic engineering and virus manipulation.
While the Krippin Virus served as a thrilling fictional narrative, it is important to emphasize that it is not a reflection of real-world vaccine development. The movie's portrayal of KV as a vaccine-turned-apocalypse has led to false claims and vaccine hesitancy, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address these misconceptions, it is crucial to understand the scientific process of vaccine development, which involves rigorous testing, safety protocols, and regulatory oversight to ensure the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
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KV caused rabies-like symptoms and a 90% kill rate
The Krippin Virus, also known as KV, is a fictional man-made disease in the movie "I Am Legend" and its spinoff graphic novel, "I Am Legend: Awakening". The virus was genetically engineered from the measles virus by Dr. Alice Krippin as a cure for cancer. Initially, KV appeared to be effective with no side effects. However, over time, the virus mutated and began to cause rabies-like symptoms in its hosts.
As KV spread, it triggered a global pandemic known as the Krippin Pandemic. The virus broke out in December 2009, and despite the military's efforts, it proved challenging to contain. KV eventually mutated into a lethal new strain of measles with a staggering 90% kill rate. It became airborne, facilitating its rapid transmission from Manhattan across the globe. The virus claimed the lives of approximately 5.4 billion people, showcasing its devastating impact on humanity.
The rabies-like symptoms exhibited by those infected with KV were disturbing. Individuals infected by the virus would go berserk and exhibit aggressive behaviour, biting anyone within reach. This contributed to the spread of the infection and the rising death toll. It's important to note that KV not only caused physical symptoms but also had neurological effects, as evidenced by the case of Vatsala, who began hallucinating and mistook her family for monsters.
The impact of KV extended beyond the high mortality rate. Of the approximately 600 million people who survived the initial infection, only 12 million were naturally immune to KV. The remaining 588 million, a significant portion of the surviving population, transformed into what the movie refers to as "Darkseekers". These individuals preyed on the remaining humans, including those who were immune, further endangering the surviving population.
The KV virus in "I Am Legend" is a fictional element of the story and should not be interpreted as a factual representation of vaccines or viral infections. The movie's screenwriter, Akiva Goldsman, has emphasised that the plot is entirely fictional and has specifically addressed false claims connecting the movie to vaccine conspiracy theories. In reality, vaccines are crucial tools in preventing and controlling infectious diseases, and they do not cause rabies-like symptoms or have a 90% kill rate as depicted in the fictional KV virus.
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KV spread from Manhattan, killing 5.4 billion people
The Krippin Virus, also known as KV, is a fictional man-made disease in the movie "I Am Legend" and its spinoff graphic novel, "I Am Legend: Awakening". The virus was initially created by Dr. Alice Krippin as a cure for cancer. It was designed by genetically engineering the measles virus, and it appeared to be effective with no side effects. However, over time, KV began to mutate, causing rabies-like symptoms in those infected.
The KV outbreak began in December 2009, and despite the military's efforts, it spread rapidly from Manhattan across the globe. The virus proved to be extremely lethal, with a 90% kill rate, and it claimed the lives of approximately 5.4 billion people. Of the remaining population, only a small fraction were naturally immune to KV, while the majority of survivors, about 588 million people, transformed into Darkseekers, vampire-like creatures that preyed on the immune survivors.
The exact cause of KV's escape from the laboratory is not clear, but once it was released, it quickly ravaged the world. The virus's high contagion rate, combined with its deadly effects, resulted in a devastating loss of life. The KV pandemic not only decimated the global population but also led to societal collapse and a post-apocalyptic world.
The impact of KV extended beyond the staggering death toll. Those who survived the initial outbreak and did not develop immunity faced a terrifying transformation into Darkseekers. These infected individuals exhibited vampiric traits, posing a constant threat to the uninfected survivors. The movie "I Am Legend" portrays the aftermath of the KV disaster, showcasing the struggles of its protagonist, Robert Neville, as he navigates this harsh and dangerous new reality.
The KV pandemic in "I Am Legend" serves as a fictional narrative device, highlighting the potential consequences of a global pandemic and the fears associated with infectious diseases. It is important to note that, contrary to some interpretations, vaccines did not cause the apocalypse in the movie. Instead, the story revolves around a genetically modified virus created with good intentions, underscoring the unintended consequences that can arise from scientific advancements.
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The remaining 9% of KV-infected people became 'Darkseekers'
The Krippin Virus, or KV, is a fictional man-made disease in the movie "I Am Legend". It was genetically engineered from the measles virus by Dr. Alice Krippin as a cure for cancer. While KV initially appeared to be effective with no side effects, it eventually began to mutate, causing rabies-like symptoms in its hosts. The virus broke out in December 2009 and, despite the military's efforts to contain it, it mutated into a lethal new strain of measles with a 90% kill rate and became airborne.
Of the 600 million people who did not die from the initial outbreak, only 12 million were naturally immune to KV. The remaining 588 million, or 9% of the KV-infected population, devolved into Darkseekers. These individuals began to prey on the surviving humans, including those with immunity. Darkseekers are depicted as vampire-like creatures with enhanced strength and a thirst for blood. They pose a significant threat to the remaining human population, as they are strong killing machines that feed on the remaining humans.
In the movie, Robert Neville, played by Will Smith, is a virologist who tries to hunt down a cure for the KV virus. He lives in a deserted, post-apocalyptic New York and risks his life trying to kill Darkseekers. Neville discovers a cure and manages to give it to Anna Montez and her son Ethan, who escape with it to Vermont. Neville gives his life defending the cure, providing hope for the remaining human survivors.
The movie "I Am Legend" has been referenced in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine hesitancy. Some people have falsely claimed that the movie depicts a scenario where vaccines led to a zombie apocalypse, warning others not to take the COVID-19 vaccine. However, these claims are misleading and have been addressed by the movie's screenwriter, Akiva Goldsman, who emphasised that the plot is entirely fictional. In the movie, it is a genetically altered virus, not a vaccine, that causes the apocalyptic events.
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The screenwriter, Akiva Goldsman, denied the film's connection to the COVID-19 pandemic
The 2007 movie "I Am Legend" starring Will Smith is a work of fiction. However, the film has been used by some to spread misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. The movie's plot involves a genetically-altered measles virus that becomes lethal, infecting most of humanity and turning them into vampire-like creatures. The screenwriter, Akiva Goldsman, took to Twitter to address the false claims that the COVID-19 vaccine could turn people into zombies, stating:
> "Oh. My. God. It's a movie. I made it up. It's. Not. Real."
Goldsman's tweet was in response to an article in The New York Times, where an employee expressed concern about getting vaccinated due to the events portrayed in the film. Dr. Payal Kohli, from the University of Anschutz medical campus, also refuted the false claims, stating that there is "zero scientific evidence" that the COVID-19 vaccine would turn people into zombies. Kohli explained that the vaccine activates the immune system, and while some people may experience side effects like tiredness or muscle aches, it is not the same as becoming a zombie.
The movie "I Am Legend" is based on a novel of the same name written in the 1950s by Richard Matheson. In the movie, an attempt to engineer the measles virus into a cancer cure goes wrong, resulting in a lethal virus that infects most of humanity. The virus, known as the Krippin Virus or KV, was created by Dr. Alice Krippin and initially appeared to be successful. However, over time, it began to mutate and cause rabies-like symptoms, eventually becoming airborne and spreading globally. The plot of the movie does not involve vaccines, and the idea that a vaccine caused the zombie apocalypse is not accurate.
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Frequently asked questions
No. The plot of I Am Legend involves a genetically-altered measles virus, created to cure cancer, that infects most of humanity and turns them into vampire-like creatures. Vaccines do not factor into the plot.
The genetically-altered measles virus in the plot of I Am Legend was called the Krippin Virus, or KV for short.
Of the 600 million people who did not die from the virus, only 12 million were naturally immune to KV. The other 588 million devolved into Darkseekers, who preyed on the surviving humans, including those with immunity.
Some people claimed that the film showed that vaccines led to a zombie apocalypse, so people should beware of the COVID-19 vaccine. This interpretation is false, as the film is entirely fictional and vaccines do not feature in the plot.
