Independence Day 3 Chances & Will Smith Return Get Honest Response From Franchise Director

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As a huge fan of Roland Emmerich’s work, I can’t help but be disappointed by the current state of his most iconic franchise, “Independence Day.” The director behind some of the biggest disaster epics in cinema history has shifted gears towards historical epics, and his latest project, “Those About to Die,” a Peacock event series about the Roman Empire, is an intriguing departure.

I used to be a big fan of Roland Emmerich’s disaster movies, like “Independence Day.” But now, he’s taking a new direction in his career. He’s the executive producer and director of “Those About to Die,” an event series on Peacock set in the Roman Empire with Anthony Hopkins as the star. In a recent interview on Bingeworthy podcast, Emmerich mentioned that bringing back “Independence Day” for a third installment isn’t just about killing off Will Smith’s character – it’s about overcoming other challenges too.

As a dedicated gamer and huge fan of the original “Independence Day” from 1996, I was truly let down by the 2016 sequel, “Resurgence.” In this new installment, set two decades later, the aliens are back to wreak havoc on Earth. Our technology has advanced since then, but unfortunately, we’re still no match for their invasion.

Further sequels were intended, but “Resurgence” failed to draw crowds at the cinema, halting production plans for additional installments. Although some supporters might be eagerly anticipating another movie to revive the series, Emmerich attributes the issue not to Will Smith’s absence, but rather Disney’s involvement. He stated:

I’ve been through a lot in my career, endured numerous setbacks and disappointments. But the most disheartening experience was when my character met an untimely demise in the second installment of a potential franchise. To add salt to the wound, Disney, the production company behind the project, now holds the power to make a decision that could further tarnish my legacy – and they never even honored our initial agreement. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, especially when I put so much passion and hard work into the role. The sting of this experience still lingers in my heart.

After Disney purchased Fox in 2017, they gained control over Fox’s movie library, including “Independence Day.” This takeover appeared to halt several Fox film projects. For instance, it took Disney nearly seven years to produce a new installment of the “Planet of the Apes” series, which came out in 2024 as “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” Given that “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011) underperformed at the box office in 2016, Disney doesn’t seem to have any plans to revisit the franchise soon.

After the massive success of “Independence Day” in the mid-1990s, director Roland Emmerich took on numerous disaster and blockbuster films such as “Godzilla,” “The Day After Tomorrow,” “2012,” and “Moonfall.” He also ventured into historical epics with “The Patriot” (2000) and “Midway” (2019). Although these projects were generally successful, none matched the cultural impact of “Independence Day.” Given that Will Smith and Disney were not involved in subsequent productions, the prospect of another movie replicating such a phenomenon seems uncertain.

Why Wasn’t Will Smith in Independence Day: Resurgence?

As a huge fan of “Independence Day” and the epic saga it brought to life, I was thrilled when director Roland Emmerich announced a sequel in 2016. Excitedly, I waited for updates on the progress of the production. However, my anticipation hit a roadblock when news broke that Will Smith, who brilliantly portrayed Capt. Stephen Hiller in the original, would not be returning for the sequel.

The reason why Smith wasn’t in “Independence Day: Resurgence” varies depending on who you talk to, suggesting there might have been several explanations. While some accounts claimed Smith demanded excessive pay, the actor himself stated he had to make a tough decision. Ultimately, he opted to work on “Suicide Squad” instead.

I had two movies queued up for my viewing pleasure: Concussion and Suicide Squad. It came down to choosing between Independence Day and Suicide Squad based on timing. Sadly, it didn’t work out in my favor that day, and I missed the opportunity to watch one of those films.

Emmerich may not make a third “Independence Day,” but he plans to create another disaster or alien invasion movie using a different franchise.

Those About to Die
is currently streaming on Peacock.

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2024-07-20 19:03