‘Independence Day’ Sequel Won’t Star Will Smith, Says Director

The world is in real trouble. Aliens are scheduled to attack sometime in the summer of 2015 and Will Smith won’t be there to protect us. Yep, the Fresh Prince will not be returning for the Independence Day sequel.

It’s been more than 15 years since the original film was released and Will Smith’s stock has risen a little bit past the budget of the new movie. Director Ronald Emmerich said that Smith would just be “too expensive” to join the cast for the Independence Day sequel.

Emmerich said:

“Will Smith cannot come back because he’s too expensive, but he’d also be too much of a marquee name … It would be too much. We have maybe half of the people that you would know from the first film, and the other half people who are new.”

According to Slash Film, the new movie will reference Smith’s character Steven Hiller and may include the character’s stepson. Could the new movie star Jaden Smith?

It’s unclear what new actors will appear in the film but Bill Pullman has already confirmed his involvement. Emmerich, who directed the first film, is also slated to helm the sequel.

The new movie, called ID Forever, Part I, is scheduled for a July 3, 2015 release.

Are you looking forward to the Independence Day Sequel? Do you think the new movie will star Jaden Smith?