Director Roland Emmerich has unveiled new details about the much anticipated sequel to his 1996 film, Independence Day at a special press conference, which was live-streamed worldwide last night (22nd June).
Chief among his revelations, the director finally revealed the menacingly promising title of the film – Independence Day: Resurgence. The sequel will be set 20 years after the events of the original, and will see the human race banding
together once again to fight off a new alien threat.
A first look at the ‘Moon Tug’ – a vehicle supposedly at the heart of the sequel’s plot.
“We call it in the film the War of ’96,” Emmerich explained. “It’s like a post-World generation that’s unified, and that’s amazing to see a world come together with a common enemy. That’s a resurgence.”
The only member of the original cast to return in this film is the effortlessly cool Jeff Goldblum – who reprises his role as computer expert and chess enthusiast, David Levinson.
Goldblum said of his character’s return; “It’s my job to lead the way in making sure everyone is safe on this precious planet. Having faced that last challenge, we’re all working in a beautiful way under one goal. Borders are no longer relevant in the same way, and that’s a very beautiful idea. We’re working together.”
New cast members include Liam Hemsworth, who plays an orphaned fighter pilot called Jake and Sela Ward, as the female President of the United States. Also among the fresh new line-up is Jessie Usher – who appears as the son of Will Smith’s original character, Steven Hiller – and Maika Monroe, who plays the grown up daughter of Bill Pullman’s President from the original.
During the press conference, Emmerich also unveiled a number of exciting new images, ranging from concept art to an exclusive first look at an advanced vehicle called ‘The Moon Tug’ – which is supposedly at the heart of the film’s plot.
Independence Day: Resurgence is set to be released on 24th June 2016.
You can watch the entire live stream of the press conference, below.
