Almost 15 Years Later, We Might Actually See An ‘Independence Day 2′ Hit Theaters, But Only If Will Smith Is In…(sigh)

Whoa whoa whoa whoa. What? I did not see this one coming. Independence Day hit theaters in 1996, taking just over $300 million domestically and just over $800 million worldwide, so obviously 20th Century Fox has been yearning to do a sequel ever since. But the film seemingly was made to be a one-hitter-quitter. The aliens were defeated and humanity prevailed. What else could they add to this story? Do the aliens come back? Well, director Roland Emmerich (ID4, The Day After Tomorrow, 2012) says that there is indeed a “really good story” ready to go.

The guys over at Latino Review recently sat down with Emmerich as he is making the publicity rounds for his new film 2012. The subject of ID2.0 came up and Emmerich confirmed that there is indeed an idea and a story, however Will Smith is “essential” to the project going forward. Emmerich said:

“[Producer] Dean Devlinnd I are still set to make a sequel likely because we’ve found some sort of idea and we approached Fox and Fox has not quite figured out how to incorporate Dean’s and my deal, and Will’s (Smith) deal. Will wants to do it in some sort of a package they can live with.”

“So it’s just been in negations now since forever, and naturally Fox says ‘Why don’t you do it without Will Smith? I said Will is essential for us, for this movie and actually for the audience too. And, so, it’s in limbo and lately the studios are fighting. Like gross players, and Will is a gross player and is probably the only gross player right now who’s worth his gross. So we’ll see what happens. I would love to do it.”

So there you have it. Will Smith is seemingly the main deal-breaker on whether this movie is going to get made. Fox could of course say “Eff you” to both Emmerich and Smith and go with a completely new director and lead star. However, as Emmerich’s directorial-style is perfectly suited for massive disaster movies, and as he made the first one, I’m sure Fox will do everything they can to keep him on board.

Stay tuned to The Movie Mash for more updates on this potential project.

What Do You Think? Discuss.