‘Independence Day 2: Resurgence’ Update: Film set for release before US Independence Day in 2016; Will Smith ‘too expensive’ to return

By Staff Writer

Jul 20 2015, 10:46 AM EDT

Twenty years after "Independence Day" was shown in 1996, the sequel "Independence Day: Resurgence" will be watched just days before the celebration of the US' Independence Day on the 4^th of July. Will Smith will only be one of the major cast who will not reprise his role in the upcoming film because he is "too expensive", according to the movie's director.

The "Independence Day 2: Resurgence" prequel had Will Smith as the lead character. However, he will no longer return in the said movie. According to Gizmodo, director Roland Emmerich says that Smith is "too expensive" although he wanted the actor back.

OLD AND NEW CAST

The original cast who will reprise their roles are Bill Pullman who will be the former President of the United States, Jeff Goldblum, a computer scientist who connects the Mac with alien machinery, Judd Hirsch as Goldblum's father, Vivica Fox as Will Smith's wife, and Brent Spiner, a scientist, despite that his character has already died in the first instalment.

Liam Hemsworth will take on the lead role as Jake Morrison, Sela Ward as the US President, Jessie Usher as Will Smith's stepson, Maika Monroe as the President's daughter, William Fitchner as General Adams and Charlotte Gainsbourg as Dr. Catherine Marceaux.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Originally, "Independence Day 2: Resurgence" was slated for a release last July 3 but was moved to July 1, 2016. Finally, the movie sequel will be shown in cinemas on June 24, 2016, just in time before the US Independence Day.

Incidentally, one of the cast Jeff Goldblum recently became a dad last Independence Day when his wife gave birth to their first son just on July 4, reports International Business Times. Goldblum finds it meaningful that his son Charlie Ocean would be celebrating his birthday every Independence Day.

Meanwhile, production is ongoing for "Independence Day 2: Resurgence", according to Gloucester Citizen. Goldblum even posted a photo of him and Hemsworth while on the set in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Twenty years after aliens invaded the Earth, viewers will get to see how advanced man has become in counterattacking the uninvited visitors in "Independence Day 2: Resurgence".