“Let’s kick the tires and light the fires, big daddy!” It looks like the “big bosses” at 20th Century Fox were listening, because they have given the go ahead to start production on the sequel to Independence Day.
Deadline has reported that the studio is looking to nail down a deal with Roland Emmerich to direct the sequel to his original blockbuster hit.
There had been speculation that the studio would be producing two films shot back-to-back, but so far the go ahead has only been given for one. This move is certainly a calculated measure to see if a sequel is successful enough to even justify making a third chapter.
Unfortunately, Will Smith isn’t likely going to be back in the saddle as Captain Steven Hiller. Although if he sought to be included in the film, Emmerich and the producers would likely do whatever was necessary to facilitate it.
Any casting decisions will probably be contingent on first securing Emmerich as the director. This will have bearing on who may wish to join the cast, and who Emmerich might wish to seek to play specific roles.
While Fox is already aiming at a June 24th 2016 release date, it would not be inconceivable to see them push the date back a week to coincide with the weekend preceding the July 4th holiday. Incidentally, if they were to open on the holiday weekend it would mark the 20-year anniversary of the original movie’s release.