Man, I have got to get me one of these actors! Flash back to 1996, and the biggest film of that year was easily Independence Day. It’s a movie that is still infinitely re-watchable to this day, laregely thanks to Will Smith who successfully broke out his fresh prince persona and into the big time.
Along with Jeff Goldblum and the most kickass president ever elected into office, Captain Steven Hiller helped save the day. But don’t expect the ace pilot to be back for the sequel.
Deadline reports that Will Smith has decided to not again jump in an F-16 and yell at aliens for shooting green shit at him as he informed 20th Century Fox that he would not join the sequel. The movie is still on track for a July 1 2016 release, which will tie in with the 20th anniversary of the original film. Director Roland Emmerich will have to find a new hero to take on the alien menace, with leads pointing to the James Vanderbilt revised script recruiting the son of Hiller to help fight the returning alien invaders.
There’s no official word yet on why exactly Smith is dropping out, but if I had to hazard a guess, I’d say a combination of a crazy schedule and not enough Smith children in the sequel is the prime reason here.
Last Updated: February 10, 2014
Her Highness the Hipster
February 10, 2014 at 10:47
gotta hate this guy – Independence Day made him the celeb that he is. you’d think he’d want to repay the franchise for all the fame and fortune they brought him.
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
February 10, 2014 at 10:55
Not if it can be to the detriment of his career… Look at Batman and Robin … (Gay org Klooo nie)
b1nd3r512
February 10, 2014 at 13:09
no offense but he had a career before he did independence day
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 10, 2014 at 18:35
I wouldn’t say hate. But most definitely not cool.
RinceandLeSIGH
February 11, 2014 at 16:14
Oi! Take that back! He’s moved on, I wouldn’t want to reprise the same role after some of the things he’s done recently.
Johan du Preez
March 14, 2014 at 16:49
I dunno hey he did really well with Fresh Prince and was a household name. But I agree it seems his ego got way to big, as long as his kid doesn’t play in it but it might be the reason why he turned it down in the first place.
Stigmata101
February 10, 2014 at 13:36
I heard about this some time back and it was suggested that it was about costs, they could not afford to pay him to be in the sequel.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 10, 2014 at 18:34
No WIll Smith? Then it aint Independence day. Then it’s just a day.
Jeffrey Kuhl
February 10, 2014 at 22:22
The movie will blow without Will.
RinceandLeSIGH
February 11, 2014 at 16:15
The worst thing about this news piece is knowing that in 2016 it would have been 20 years since I sat and watched this in the cinema. Man oh man. Thanks Darryn 🙁