Roland Emmerich also reveals that there will only be one follow-up movie, instead of two like he originally planned.
- Oct 25, 2013
AceShowbiz - Director Roland Emmerich gave a few tidbits on the development of "Independence Day 2". In an interview with Indiewire, he spilled that there were two scripts prepared for the film. One sees Will Smith reprising his role as Captain Steven Hiller, and the other doesn't.
The filmmaker refused to comment on the possible involvement of the "After Earth" actor in the upcoming sequel. But he did say that working on the project was "a daily battle." "The budget, the schedules, the actors ...," he confided before assuring, "It's looking good."
When the sequel was first announced, Emmerich planned to develop a trilogy by making two movie films. But now he seemed to have a change of heart. "I thought about spending four years of my life on one movie and I didn't want to turn into something from the movie. It's a movie about aliens, I don't want to turn into an alien," so he said.
The plotline is still scarce, but a sort of pass-the-torch storyline with the main focus on the step-son of Smith's character was reportedly written for the next film. Michael B. Jordan ("Chronicle", "That Awkward Moment") is rumored in talks to play the lead role.
Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman are expected to reprise their roles as computer expert David Levinson and President Thomas J. Whitmore respectively, but it was allegedly difficult to bring Smith back to the franchise due to budget issues.
The second installment is scheduled for release on July 3, 2015.
