It really looks like Captain Steve Hiller won’t be saying “Peace” to the aliens this time around.
Liam Hemsworth, the actor best known for playing Gale Hawthorne in THE HUNGER GAMES (and THOR’s real-life younger brother), has allegedly been offered the lead in ID4EVER (or ID FOREVER). No word on who the EXPENDABLES 2/PARANOIA actor would play, but I’m guessing he’d be a fighter pilot/military figure with little to no relation with the original’s characters.
Michael B. Jordan is still linked to the project, even though his slate is fairly stacked. Roland Emmerich is still set to direct, and return appearances by Bill Pullman and Smith’s former co-pilot, Jeff Goldblum, are still expected.
But say all you want about Will Smith’s star power now versus then, I still am not how viable this brand is without the former Fresh Prince cracking wise front-and-center. He played a huge part in smoothing over the sci-fi trappings and super-heavy body count for the masses, and I have to attribute at least half of the original's runaway success to his charm (though personally, my guy has been Goldblum for many moons). I’m curious to see if Emmerich can build an equally successful and culturally ubiquitous film without his former star, utilizing the talents of Hemsworth and (hopefully) Jordan.
Honestly, this is all piffle to me until I hear that Judd Hirsch is back onboard.
What do you guys think of the notion of a Liam Hemsworth-fronted INDEPENDENCE DAY sequel?
