'Independence Day 2' News, Update: Sequel Finally Gets the Greenlight From Fox
The long-awaited sequel for the hit science fiction disaster film has been officially given with the greenlight by Twentieth Century Fox for its second sequel.
The media publication further stated that the studio is now moving to close a directing deal with Roland Emmerich. A May 2015 production will soon follow after.
As for the release date, Fox eyed for June 24, 2016 which means it will almost fall exactly 20 years after the original Will Smith-led flick hit the big screen.
However, the site noted that the dates may change as target schedules "get recalibrated all the time."
Speaking of Will Smith, Deadline previously revealed in February that the 46-year-old Academy Award winner actor won't be reprising his role as Captain Steven Hiller, the US Marine Corp pilot who aspires to be an astronaut.
"Though if he said yes, I'm sure Fox, Emmerich and Dean Devlin would write him in, in a heartbeat," Mike Flemiing Jr. of Deadline said.
For those who wished to know more of the casting news, it was also reported that selection for members will begin shortly after Emmerich signs the directorship deal.
The studio, meanwhile, has only given the green light to a single movie. Previous rumors suggested that the producers would likely follow the multi-installment franchise trend.
Apparently, a third part will be largely dependent on how the second sequel fares with the box office sales records.
