As long time readers of TG probably know by now, there will be two sequels to Independence Day that will be entitled ID4 Forever Parts One and Two. We also just learned that the creators of ID4, Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin, will have two sets of scripts. One version of the script has Will Smith’s character, Captain Steven Hiller, and another version doesn’t.
It’s still up in the air whether Will Smith will return to one of the biggest movies of his career, although after the disaster of After Earth we’d like to recommend he give it some thought. He also reportedly wants a ton of money if he comes back. So Devlin and Emmerich are clearly covering the bases on this one. (There’s speculation that Michael B. Jordan could be in line to replace Smith if he Big Willie doesn’t come onboard.)
Emmerich told the Huffington Post that chances of Smith coming back are “looking good,” and Bill Pullman said, “The Will Smith part of it may be ongoing, but I think there’s strategies for both. I like what I have to do in both of them.”
Emmerich also told the Post that trying to get the movies made is “a daily battle…the budget, the schedules [and] the actors…” But if all goes according to plan, ID4 is scheduled for a July 3, 2015 release. Yes, the same summer as Avengers 2, Pirates of the Caribbean 5, Jurassic World, Terminator 5, Batman Vs Superman, and possibly the next Star Wars. Whew, that’s going to be one busy blockbuster season…
