Independence Day sequel greenlit; Will Smith won’t return

We know that Independence Day 2 has been planned for a while, with original director Roland Emmerich set to return to direct the sequel. But only now has the project been officially confirmed, getting the green light from 20th Century Fox, who will finance the movie. There is still no sign that Will Smith, star of 1996’s Independence Day, will return, and with shooting due to commence in May next year, it’s unlikely he will end up signing on. Emmerich reportedly drafted two screenplays for the sequel; one including Smith, and one without him. Looks like he’ll be going with the latter – but don’t expect Independence Day 2 to feature any less spectacle when it comes out on the weekend of July 4th in 2016, 20 years after the original. At this stage, we can only guess what the plot might be; could the aliens from the first film return to wreak havoc on Earth once more? Will we see more of those iconic city-sized saucers? Will the White House get blown up again? We’ll have to wait and see.