A sequel to Roland Emmerich’s Independence Day has long been in the works at 20th Century Fox. In fact, Emmerich and Fox were once working on more than one sequel to the hit alien invasion blockbuster. There have been plenty of rumors circulating the movies concerning which actors will return, what actors may join the series, and how the film will further explore the ID4 alien mythology. However, as Fox kept rearranging the Independence Day 2 release date, it seemed the film would be delayed forever.

In recent months, Fox ordered a rewrite of the original script for the followup in addition to rearranging the film’s release date yet again. Now, Fox has taken a serious step forward in the progress of Independence Day 2 (tentatively titled ID Forever).


Deadline is reporting that Fox has given Independence Day 2 an official green light and that the project will take the form of a single Independence Day movie sequel, rather than a two part followup to the original. Production will begin in May 2015 in order to be ready for the movie’s June 2016 release date. Next, the studio will look to secure Emmerich’s directing deal for Independence Day 2, then begin casting.

As previously reported, Will Smith, star of Independence Day, is unlikely to return for the sequel, but both Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman will reprise their roles. In addition to Emmerich’s return behind the camera, Dean Devlin, writer and producer of Independence Day, helped the director pen the original script to the sequel and will return as a producer.

independence day 2 release date 2016 570x294 Independence Day 2 Gets an Official Greenlight; Production to Start May 2015

Independence Day 2 can officially join the ranks of other upcoming installments in rebooted/revitalized sci-fi action franchises of the ‘80s and ‘90s – a list that includes Jurassic World, Terminator Genisys, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It may be exciting for fans of Independence Day, as well as these other series, to see some of the actors return to their favorite characters and revisit the world the first movie created.

That being said, Independence Day 2 seems to be the least in need of a followup. While the Jurassic Park, Terminator, and Star Wars films created exciting worlds in which multiple stories could be told, Independence Day was more of a self-contained story: the alien invasion and the aliens’ defeat. This aspect of the sequel could align it more with unnecessary (and too late) followups like Sin City: A Dame to Kill For and Dumb and Dumber To.

If Independence Day 2 doesn’t offer a fresh, new idea or a deeper exploration of what makes the world of Independence Day interesting, then it may disappoint. Independence Day 2 could also use a scene on par with (or better than) Pullman’s rallying speech from Independence Day, if it is to be truly successful.

Independence Day 2 is scheduled to premiere June 24th, 2016.