Reboots, remakes, sequels, and franchises. These have become an ever-present part of the cinematic landscape today. Some get it right, some get it wrong, and some come along and knock it right out of the park. Independence Day: Resurgence, the upcoming sequel to 1996’s mega-hit Independence Day might just be that singular sequel that is just as good as the original.
Sequels are intended to carry a story forward, raise the stakes, or continue a franchise. Roland Emmerich has had the idea of multiple Independence Day films since shortly after the original was released. As early as 1998, Emmerich had talked about a world that had repelled an alien invasion, and used that technology to further its own growth and defense. It’s taken 20 years, but Emmerich’s idea is about to be realized.
“The War Of 1996”, as it is referred to, united humanity. Putting forth a bit of an idealistic post-invasion world, long standing animosity between various countries looks to have been set aside as a new global and space defense entity have been tasked with global defense. David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) is the Director of the Earth Space Defense and makes the discovery which leads to a whole new invasion. A companion website details some of the events leading into this movie, such as development of global defense technology, high-tech jet fighters, and even a moon base.
A new extended trailer released today giving broad strokes of things to come. A crashed ship somewhere in Africa, a scene with former President Thomas Whitmore (Bill Pullman) and wholesale destruction.
Returning cast from the original Independence Day along with Goldblum and Bill Pullman are Vivica A. Fox, Judd Hirsch, and Brent Spiner. Newcomers Liam Hemsworth, Maika Monroe, and William Fichtner round out a robust cast, which is what you usually need for a big event film.
Independence Day: Resurgence releases June 25th
