It has been two decades since Independence Day unleashed aliens on us and the sequel is set to do the same.
‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ is due for release this summer and will see the world under threat once more.
Returning is director Roland Emmerich who helmed the 1996 film. This time however we are minus Will Smith as Captain Steven Hiller. Without star wattage we could well see the film fizzle out.
It is believed that Will opted out of the sequel. He was subsequently written out of the story as in it his character has died. The actor is as busy as ever and has signed on for Bad Boys 3 and 4 as Mike Lowrey. His absence from the new film is already causing consternation among fans.
Instead of Will, we have Jeff Goldblum back as David Levinson. I am a fan but he certainly does not have the box office draw of his former co-star. Jeff is no stranger to returning to a franchise in which he played a supporting role. There was surprise when he returned for Jurassic Park sequel flop ‘The Lost World’ in 1997 instead of Sam Neill who played dinosaur expert Dr Grant in the original 1993 film.
The ‘easy on the eye’ role has gone to Liam Hemsworth as a character named Jake Morrison. Bill Pullman is back as Whitmore so there is sure to be some rousing speeches once more. Star Trek star favourite Brent Spiner is back as Dr Brakish Okun, while Judd Hurch returns as Julius Levinson.
20th Century Fox stated, “We always knew they were coming back. After ‘Independence Day’ redefined the event movie genre, the next epic chapter delivers global spectacle on an unimaginable scale. Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defence program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens’ advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring our world back from the brink of extinction.”
Two decades after the first Independence Day invasion, Earth is faced with a new extra-Solar threat. But will mankind’s new space defences be enough?
In the trailer we see Goldblum being called upon by the military after they ‘find something only he might understand.’
The nasty aliens are on the way back! “I spent 20 years trying to get us ready for this,” says Goldblum’s character.
A lot has changed in the movie industry in the years since the first film. Blockbusters about aliens launching attacks on the earth have multiplied since then. For example, this year we had teen pic ‘The Wave’ cover the alien invasion of earth.
Can Independence Day 2 offer us anything new other than blowing up some more monuments? We will have to wait and see.