Everyone rejoice because "Independence Day 2" is officially happening.
Deadline reports that 20th Century Fox has given the green light for the sequel to the 1996 hit film. The publication indicated that the film will begin production in May in preparation for a June 2016 release date.
With regards to casting, the site noted that original lead actor Will Smith will not be returning to the franchise but JoBlo wrote that rumors hint at a Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman appearance.
"I had a meeting and have been talking over the last several months or year with Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin, the producer," said Goldblum back in October, recalled The Independent. "They've been cooking up and say they have a part for me in what they hope will be a plan to make another one pretty soon."
Emmerich, who led the 1996 original, has already said that Smith, who would have been a great addition to the sequel, is "too expensive," thus making the chances of the "After Earth" actor reprising his role as Capt. Steve Hillier incredibly slim, wrote Global News.
Not much else has been revealed about the project but according to Deadline, the studio is presently closing a deal to have Roland Emmerich direct the sequel. Casting is believed to begin after a film director has been secured. James Vanderbilt and Carter Blanchard are penning the film's script.
Emmerich took to Twitter late Wednesday to announce the news saying: "Today we celebrate our Independence Day... being greenlit for part two. #IndependenceDay2."
Today we celebrate our Independence Day... being greenlit for part two. #IndependenceDay2
— Roland Emmerich (@rolandemmerich) November 26, 2014
The original film was about an alien invasion of Earth with humans banding together to battle it out with extraterrestrial to save the planet. This time around, Den of Geek reports that the movie will take place 20 years after the events of the first film with a new invasion in the horizon.
It would seem we now find ourselves in a time that will feature a number of 80s and 90s film sequels. The most recent being "Dumb and Dumber To" along with "Zoolander 2." There was also plans for a "Mrs Doubtfire 2" prior to the death of Robin Williams.
The 2016 release date marks the 20th anniversary of the 1996 original film that took in $811 million worldwide nearly two decades ago.
Are you excited for the much-awaited sequel? Let us know in the comments below!
