Yes, no, maybe: those are the three answers Will Smith has given to 20th Century Fox about returning for “Independence Day 2” aka “ID Forever” over the past few years. But now it seems he’s made up his mind. Almost.
Deadline reports that Smith won’t be starring in the sequel that is set for a 2016 release, but they add that they were “told not to set this in stone, because Smith has been back and forth before on whether to make the movie.” That said, they do believe he’ll be letting director Roland Emmerich know shortly that he won’t be coming back. But this is why you always plan ahead. Indeed, Emmerich told us last fall that two scripts were being written by James Vanderbilt—one centered on Smith, one without him—to cover their bases whenever he got around to deciding what he was going to do.
So, where will the filmmakers turn to next? At least one producer stated they want Michael B. Jordan to join the movie, but they won’t be throwing the baby out with the bathwater entirely, as Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman are expected to return. So, there you go: the nearly definitive answer on Smith’s non-involvement with this sequel. “Independence Day 2” drops on July 1, 2016.
Because most film critics transparently wish they were part of Hollywood, therefore why Hollywood does is of the greatest interest. Film as Art is their sometimes hobby. Hollywood is milk dispensing teet. Film culture on a large scale remains hostage to the whims of the shallow.
2016 is still a way down the line, deep down we all know Will Smiff will return to show those aliens who the boss on erf is, because Fresh Prince gotsta get paid!
Why is this in INDIEwire? What is Indie about effing Independence Day 2?
The world mourns
Oh the human-inaity