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Jeff Goldblum & Bill Pullman Back for ‘Independence Day 2′; Will Smith Cameo Possible

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After seventeen years of rumors, speculation, and false starts, director Roland Emmerich appears to finally have some traction for the long-awaited Independence Day follow-up, tentatively titled ID Forever. If all goes according to plan, the sequel will actually be comprised of two feature length films – Part I and Part II – with the first installment tentatively scheduled for July 3rd, 2015. The filmmaker has been busy promoting his soon-to-be-released thriller White House Down, starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx, which sees a hostile force take control of the White House and put the President’s life in jeopardy (not to be confused with Olympus Has Fallen).

Unsurprisingly, ID Forever has been a regular topic of conversation for Emmerich on the White House Down press tour and today we’ve got good news for fans of patriotic speeches and outer space cigar smoking – as the director has confirmed that both Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman are expected to return for the sequel(s).

Speaking to Movies.com in a New York City Q&A, Emmerich asserted that the actors, who played fan-favorite cable guy/computer hacker, David Levinson, and fighter pilot/President, Thomas J. Whitmore, are two returning faces set for ID Forever. As we’ve previously reported, the sequel’s cast is expected to be a mix of familiar franchise participants and entirely new characters – roughly a 50/50 blend for the main cast. Previously, Goldblum and Pullman have expressed interest in the project, but this is the first report suggesting that Emmerich has included them in his plans for the film – and that he expects they’ll reprise the roles. That said, the director does not outright say the actors have signed contracts – meaning that, until we hear official confirmations, it’s still possible one or both of the characters might not make it into the final film.

Regardless, the most notable omission to the ID Forever crew will be Will Smith’s Captain Steven Hiller - who is not expected to return. In the new interview, Emmerich asserts that they simply cannot afford the actor but the filmmaker was quick to clarify that Smith has not yet read the final script and that a Hiller cameo is still possible – if for no other reason than to “pass the torch” to new cast members.

Regardless of how viewers might feel about Smith these days (considering the amount of backlash aimed at After Earth), Hiller was a fan-favorite character responsible for many of the best (and most memorable) moments in Independence Day. As a result, a cameo by the actor would be a nice way to close-out the Hiller storyline – without requiring the production to front a huge salary.

That said, if Smith opts to pass on Emmerich’s cameo ideas, there are still plenty of ways for the filmmaker to explain Hiller’s absence - especially since early plot details suggest the movie will take place in real time, 20-25 years after the original alien invasion. That time jump (made possible by complicated space travel/wormhole physics) should also help provide Goldblum and Pullman with fun material for their characters – since they’ll be playing much older versions of Levinson and Whitmore.

Even at the most basic level, a story about people who survived the first alien attack and then spent the next 20 years (possibly) preparing for a second wave is intriguing – even before you consider the continued personal stories that will be included. For example: President Whitmore should no longer be President and his young daughter, Patricia (played by Arrested Development‘s Mae Whitman), will be in her twenties. Similarly, will Emmerich bring back Margaret Colin to reprise her role as Levinson’s wife, Constance Spano? If so, it’s likely the pair could have decided to have their own children in the subsequent two decades.

Until we know more, let’s all keep our fingers crossed that – since Goldblum is back - Levinson’s father, Julius (portrayed by Judd Hirsch), will also make an appearance.

The Movies.com interview also (casually) suggests that Emmerich is still interested in a Stargate sequel, and that it might be next on the filmmaker’s schedule after ID Forever Part I and II. However, that appears to only be speculation at this point – as Emmerich collaborator Dean Devlin already mentioned they were interested in returning to the Stargate franchise in the future. As a result, Emmerich’s comment is merely confirmation that the pair could return to their other beloved sci-fi property at some point.

Michael B. Jordan Eyed to Star in ‘Independence Day’ Sequel (Exclusive)

www.thewrap.com/michael-b-jordan-in-cont...ay-sequel-exclusive/


The “Fruitvale Station” star has met with director Roland Emmerich and is highly regarded on the Fox lot

“Fruitvale Station” star Michael B. Jordan is being eyed for a major role in Roland Emmerich’s “Independence Day” sequel, multiple individuals familiar with the 20th Century Fox project have told TheWrap.

Jordan has not yet received an offer, nor does one seem imminent. 20th Century Fox and Emmerich had no comment, with official casting news expected closer to the holidays.

Emmerich has met with several up-and-coming young actors, including Jordan, who is high on the studio’s list. Fox execs like Jordan for the part — his name has been thrown around repeatedly in creative meetings — and Jordan is interested, multiple individuals with knowledge of the star’s thinking have told TheWrap.

Should Fox make an offer, the studio would effectively be doubling down on Jordan’s star potential, as the actor is poised to play the Human Torch in its “Fantastic Four” reboot, as TheWrap first reported.

Also Read: ‘Independence Day 2′ to Debut on July 3, 2015

It’s unclear whether Will Smith will return for the sequel, or what part Jordan is being eyed for. A representative for Smith told TheWrap that the actor’s status regarding the “Independence Day” sequel remains unchanged — meaning he’s not officially involved at this time.

Smith could be paired with Jordan or “pass the torch” to the rising star, who would then take over the franchise should Fox move forward with additional installments. After all, the sequel is known as “ID Forever Part I.”

Emmerich recently sat down with screenwriter James Vanderbilt (“The Amazing Spider-Man”) and producers Dean Devlin and Harald Kloser to discuss the sequel, which is scheduled to blow up theaters on July 3, 2015, though recent reports suggest it could be delayed to 2016. Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman are expected to reprise their roles.

‘Independence Day 2′ Pushed Back a Year to July 1, 2016

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20th Century Fox is moving its “Independence Day” sequel back a year to from July 3, 2015 to to July 1, 2016 — or almost exactly 20 years after the original hit theaters.

Roland Emmerich’s 1996 blockbuster “Independence Day” hit theaters on July 3, 1996, and went on to gross a still-impressive $817 million worldwide.

Emmerich has been working on the sequel with “Independence Day” co-writer Dean Devlin and “White House Down” writer-producer James Vanderbilt. He has indicated that Will Smith will not be returning.

Fox announced the decision to shift the sequel back a year on the same day that it disclosed it was moving three other key releases back — Josh Trank‘s “Fantastic Four” reboot from March 6, 2015 to June 19, 2015; Matthew Vaughn‘s “The Secret Service” to March 6, 2015, instead of November 11, 2014; and Michael Fassbender‘s “Assassin’s Creed” moving to Aug. 7, 2015 from June 19, 2015.