"We always knew they were coming back. After INDEPENDENCE DAY redefined the event movie genre, the next epic chapter delivers global catastrophe on an unimaginable scale. Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defense program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens’ advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring our world back from the brink of extinction."
That’s the official synopsis for the upcoming sequel to the 1996 box office smash (a long 19 years ago!!!).
Here’s what else we know thus far… the official title, which was revealed in a short video tease last night, by 20th Century Fox (it’s embedded below). The sequel will be titled… drum-roll… "Independence Day: Resurgence," which immediately made me think of Lionsgate’s "Divergent," "Insurgent," and "Allegiant" sci-fi trilogy of films; although there are no connections or similarities.
Most recently, British actor, Deobia Oparei (Areo Hotah in HBO’s "Game Of Thrones"), joined the cast of Fox’s "Independence Day 2," which will star Jessie T. Usher (star of the LeBron James-produced Starz series, "Survivor’s Remorse") playing Will Smith’s character’s son, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman and Vivica A. Fox. They’ll be joined by other newcomers in Liam Hemsworth, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Sela Ward.
20th Century Fox is moving ahead with the first of 2 announced "Independence Day" sequels, which will be released during the summer of 2016 (June 24), 20 years after the first film’s theatrical debut.
As for Will Smith, he’s not returning, and will indeed sit out the next 2 films, paving the way for Usher to take over, in a handing-off of the baton.
As writer/director Rolland Emmerich said previously, the sequels would be "a bit like the sons takeover," meaning Will Smith probably wasn’t expected to be part of the sequels in the first place – at least, not in any meaningful way – and the storylines for each film will instead focus on a new generation of human heroes, including Will Smith’s character’s eventual stepson (Vivica Fox’s kid) in "ID4" (who was played by Ross Bagley, now 25 years old).
It was previously reported that the 2 films will be called: "ID Forever – Part 1," and "ID Forever – Part 2." That obviously won’t be the case anymore.
We’ll see how this all shakes out. I haven’t exactly been longing for "ID4" sequels, but I’m sure I’ll still see them when they are released.
Here’s the video announcing the film’s title; underneath it, you’ll find a just-released introduction of the film by its key cast (each talking about their characters), and the director:
