The upcoming "Independence Day" sequel has been given a new title: "Independence Day: Resurgence." The movie, which is slated for release next year, comes almost 20 years after the original film was released, and anticipation has been mounting ever since the project was announced earlier this year.
The cast revealed the title on Monday's Q&A live stream, in which the key players gave some insights into what fans can expect from next summer's blockbuster. The movie will show how the world comes together and prepares for a second invasion.
Here is the official synopsis of the film:
We always knew they were coming back. After Independence Day redefined the event movie genre, the next epic chapter delivers global spectacle on an unimaginable scale. Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defense program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens' advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring the world back from extinction."
Vivica A. Fox and Jeff Goldblum, stars of the original "Independence Day," are both on board to reprise their roles along with Bill Pullman. Because the film takes place 20 years after the original, Pullman, who played the President of the United States in the first film, finds himself replaced by a new female president played by Sela Ward.
A new character will be played by Liam Hemsworth and is named Jake Morrison. He is described as a rebellious military man who has lost both his parents during the aliens' first invasion, which is now called "the Battle of 1996."
Although Will Smith will not be returning to reprise his role as the brave Captain Steven Hiller, Jessie Usher was cast as Hiller's child, Dylan.
During a press event for the launch of the upcoming film, director Roland Emmerich addressed the absence of Smith from the cast. The director said that initially, the "Men in Black" star was excited about being in the film, but after working on "After Earth" with his son Jaden Smith, the star was no longer so enthusiastic about returning to "Independence Day."
"I wanted to work with him and he was excited to be in it but then after a while he was tired of sequels, and he did another science fiction film, which was his father-son story, so he opted out," Emmerich said.
"Independence Day: Resurgence" opens in theaters on June 24, 2016.
