'Independence Day 2' News: Production Starts, No Will Smith
Production for "Independence Day 2" officially starts today, April 21. This much was shared by actress Joey King through her Twitter account. King is part of the cast of the upcoming sequel to the 1996 blockbuster movie.
King is joined by returning cast members from the first movie, such as Jeff Goldblum, Brent Spiner, Vivica A. Fox, Judd Hirsch and Bill Pullman. Goldblum will reprise his role as David Levinson, while Hirsch will still play Julius Levinson. Pullman is still President Thomas J. Whitmore and Spiner will play Dr. Brakish Okun. Fox will play Jasmine, Captain Hiller's wife. Only Will Smith, who played Captain Hiller is missing in the whole adult cast of the first movie.
As earlier reported, Smith is not joining the sequel primarily because of his price tag, which the movie's producers said was too high.
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According to a report in the Daily Mail, there will be several new cast members as well. Jessie Usher, who starred in "Survivor's Remorse," is set to play Captain Hiller and Jasmine's son. Liam Hemsworth has also signed on to star in the sequel, although his role is not yet known. Another newcomer is Charlotte Gainsbourg.
Although the film's plot is being kept under wraps, Roland Emmerich had earlier revealed, as reported on Screen Rant that it will be about a second alien invasion. This time, however, the humans are ready for the upcoming invasion. They apparently studied the alien technology they encountered during the first invasion and used the technology to prepare for the next invasion.
The sequel will be directed by Roland Emmerich, who was also the director of the first film. He also produces with Dean Devlin and Harald Kloser. Carter Blanchard penned the script.
The film will be released in the U.S. on June 24, 2014, while the rest of the world will see it on July 1.
