Oct 27, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

Independence Day 2 and 3 Could Happen Without Will Smith

Will Smith may not return for Independence Day sequels
Will Smith may not return for Independence Day sequels
Back in November of 2009, we reported that director Roland Emmerich is planning back-to-back sequels for the 1996 blockbuster Independence Day. It seems that plan is still intact, with screenwriter Dean Devlin said to be delivering both screenplays for Independence Day 2 and Independence Day 3 by mid-December. However, Will Smith may not return to star in these sequels.

Will Smith has reportedly asked for $50 million to shoot both sequels back-to-back, which Fox declined. Nothing is official yet, since negotiations were halted to focus on the scripts, but it seems Fox is willing to make the sequels without Will Smith.

While specific plot details weren't given, it is said both sequels will tell a single story and are being crafted much like Back to the Future Part II and Back To The Future Part III.

Will Smith does not have his next movie completely locked in yet, which is a positive sign for the Independence Day sequels. We reported in April that the actor will star in M. Night Shyamalan's sci-fi tale One Thousand A.E. with his son, Jaden Smith. However, pre-production is moving very slowly, with Sony taking its time to get the story right before shooting begins.

Independence Day comes to theaters July 3rd, 2013 and stars Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, Robert Loggia, Randy Quaid, Margaret Colin. The film is directed by Roland Emmerich.

Independence Day 2 is in development and stars Will Smith. The film is directed by Roland Emmerich.

Independence Day 3 is in development and stars Will Smith. The film is directed by Roland Emmerich.


Sources: Vulture

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Comments (39)

  1. Hannah Fontana

    >I feel 50m is justified. People need to remember that Independence Day made $817,400,891 worldwide.

    I agree - but only if the sequels make anywhere near that amount. The profits need to be shared equally with all participants. The more the movie makes, the more the actors make - and the rest of the people who worked hard to make the movie. Some of the crew makes minimum wage. Spread the wealth a bit.

    4 months agoby @Hannah-FontanaFlag

  2. The_Crow2k

    Not much of a loss, really. They can really build up a new story with different characters with some cameo for the previous ones..
    Smith's character doesn't really need to have a continuance, he finished his part in the first film.

    5 months agoby @the-crow2kFlag

  3. Mutant

    I enjoyed his films in the beginning, now I think he just needs to be either a Director or producer for now on.
    ID4 sequel's can be made without him. $50 million is way too much, go back home Willy, I've stopped watching your films.
    Stop acting like an old white man and act your age.

    5 months agoby @zenderFlag

  4. JennyL

    @Warren-Jordan Yes but Will Smith was not a draw then. The only big movie that was on his resume before Independence Day was Bad Boy. People didn't flock to the theater because of him.

    5 months agoby @JennyLFlag

  5. JennyL

    @titanictom Michael Keaton?? What did he do?

    Also, do we need two sequels?

    5 months agoby @JennyLFlag

  6. Warren Jordan

    I feel 50m is justified. People need to remember that Independence Day made $817,400,891 worldwide.

    5 months agoby @Warren-JordanFlag

  7. Hannah Fontana

    I will boycott the movies if Will Smith ends up getting paid $50 million for the part. Not only that, but I will organize a revolt against Fox and their affiliated companies. This is totally outrageous. To Will Smith: Get a freaking life. You are NOT worth it. Nobody is.

    6 months agoby @Hannah-FontanaFlag

  8. Joshua Hollaway

    "50 Million dollars!? Who you think you kidnaped kelsey Clinton!?"
    ( Rush hour quote)

    7 months agoby @Joshua-HollawayFlag

  9. dillonyewjew

    $50 million, does he think he's Oprah?

    7 months agoby @dillonyewjewFlag

  10. Titanictom

    HOLLY WOOD STOP MAIKING MOVIES THAT NO ONE WANTS TO SEE.........ENOUGH WITH THE PREQUELS AND SEQUELS AND REMAKES/REHASHES......WE"VE SEEN IT ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    7 months agoby @titanictomFlag

  11. Titanictom

    He just joined Micheal Keaton and EDDIE MURPHY in the I"M not a SELLOUT Dept.!!!

    7 months agoby @titanictomFlag

  12. Sean

    If Will Smith is not going to be in Independence Day 2 and 3, then the best option would likely be to just not make Independence Day 2 and 3 at all.

    7 months agoby @themoviefanaticFlag

  13. JasonKat

    Dude this isnt the worst movie ever, trust me i know bad when i see1 and this aint it. but thats not to say its the best either.
    Now as far as moving 4ward with ID2. Smith shouldnt even b considered a "returner" maybe Jeff Goldblum, since he was the smart1 and also had sumthing to do w the president/white house not to mention who his wife was. Smith was just a soldier, nothing more, nothing less. i dunno why they even want him to return, nor why they even wanna make the film in the 1st place.
    I can understand making a part2, but it should b a new cast, with "maybe" just Jeff Goldblum returning, his wife, & his dad, Not even the president should return, So they should give us a blk president now "i dont mean that in a bad way" just that, thats how movies r being made these days, look at "2012" .
    Anyways if you ask me, i think the guy who should replace will smith is or should b jason statham. That guy's got soldier apeal all over it, not to mention hes a baddass. Im sure the cgi and al that would improve more than it was back in 95. Im sure this film will do well.

    7 months agoby @jasonkatFlag

  14. TheStonedReviewer

    Apparently Anonymous got turkey so it is wise for emerich to return to the safe relms of the disaster film, but 50 million!? Smith aint exactly jack sparrow.

    7 months agoby @stonedFlag

  15. ADDICTION NON-FATAL

    People! The fact that the movie is going to be made with or without Will Smith is absolutely irrelevant! The fact that they are going forward with this sequel is! Why would you!?! Like I said ID4 is possibly the worst movie ever to gross that much money! Not to mention, whom ever is a fan of this pile of sh*t, fit into the easily amused category!

    7 months agoby @addiction-non-fatalFlag

  16. Lord McLovin of MovieWeb

    i think what Will Smith is trying to say is he wants 25mil per picture

    7 months agoby @ghostmanFlag

  17. ejk1

    @jimthar I totally get what you said about the invasion films. I just don't think War of the Worlds fits because even though the film is an updated version, it's still the HG Wells story, which predates ID4 by 96 years.

    7 months agoby @ejk1Flag

  18. Jimthar

    @dan1 totally agree with you.

    7 months agoby @jimtharFlag

  19. Bawnian©-Dexeus

    @thedude1 That would be a better solution

    7 months agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag

  20. Jimthar

    @ejk1 yeah none of the movies i mentioned are technically sequels to this. im just saying that there have been ten alien invasion movies since then and these movies really aren't needed. just add these to the list of pointless, 20 years too late sequels that are coming out now. beetlejuice.....dumb and dumber.....etc etc. and these are all movies that nobody asked for.

    7 months agoby @jimtharFlag

  21. TheDude1

    Why can't Will Smith take 18 to 20 million for each movie? That would be fair for both sides and besides he would most likely get a cut of the box office intake and or the DVD/Blu Ray intake.

    7 months agoby @thedude1Flag

  22. red_ruddy

    I don't care if that money grubber is in it I wanna see what emmerich has up his sleeve to continue the story

    7 months agoby @red-ruddyFlag

  23. moviegeek

    I'm confused... who asked for a sequel to this, let alone two sequels? Secondly, is it just going to be tradition that these things attack on the Fourth of July, or is this turning into a Gary Marshall Valentine's Day project where he just targets different holidays.

    Memorial Day. :P

    7 months agoby @moviegeekFlag

  24. ejk1

    @jimthar War of the Worlds is definitely not a sequel, but I get your point.

    Smith isn't really asking for that much more than usual for a big-time star, as it is 25 million per film. However, I don't feel these sequels are necessary at all.

    7 months agoby @ejk1Flag

  25. Dfella504

    pay da man let him do his thing

    7 months agoby @dfellaFlag

  26. Dan

    I enjoyed ID4 and Will Smith at the time, but I don't want to see a follow up of any kind. That's not the kind of movie you make a follow up to. The mothership blew up, we won the day. The End.

    7 months agoby @dan1Flag

  27. CUPID

    50 mil or GTFO

    7 months agoby @cupidFlag

  28. ADDICTION NON-FATAL

    OH MY F*CKING GOD! MUST YOU MAKE ANOTHER ID4? THE IST ONE WAS A PILE OF SH*T-WORST F*CKING MOVIE EVER! IF I WERE WILL SMITH, I'D RUN FAR AWAY FROM THIS PROJECT! CHEERS!

    7 months agoby @addiction-non-fatalFlag

  29. Ps2fatboy

    why do they need to make so many bloody sequals lately

    7 months agoby @ps2fatboyFlag

  30. justinishulk

    meh...

    7 months agoby @justinishulkFlag

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