The slap went around the world: Will Smith caused a stir at the Oscars – and then withdrew from the public. Now the actor apparently wants to make a comeback and is planning a sequel to a film from 2007.

Will Smith is reportedly planning his comeback in Hollywood. The actor retired from public life after slapping comedian Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars in March. Now, according to The Sun, the 53-year-old wants to return – allegedly with a self-produced sequel to his 2007 film I Am Legend. In the film, directed by Francis Lawrence, Will Smith played the role of scientist Robert Neville, dealing with some kind of zombie apocalypse in New York.

A source told The Sun: “The script is being written which will credit his character and Will has remained involved with the project so far.” The concept has yet to be approved by the film studio, “but there is no indication that Will is leaving the project,” the anonymous source said. Will Smith’s production company remains responsible for the film.

According to the insider, it is certain that the Hollywood star will make a comeback. It will only depend on “which studio will give him a chance”. Smith could be back on screen in two years, after all, love Hollywood comeback stories “where stars who seem to have been written off come back with big projects, like Robert Downey Jr., Mel Gibson, Drew Barrymore and Winona Ryder,” the source continued.

During the Oscars, Will Smith came out from the audience and slapped Chris Rock in the face. The comedian previously made a joke about Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The actor resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences after the scandal. The Academy had also banned Smith from the awards ceremony and other events for the next ten years.