Independence Day 2 Sequel Release Date 2016: Movie Gets Green Light From Fox

The sequel to the 1996 film "Independence Day" is finally showing signs of life and is scheduled to begin production in May of next year for a July 4, 2016 release.

However, no information has been released about the cast or the plot of the upcoming film.

In the 18 years since the first film was released, a number of rumors about the sequel have surfaced only to be debunked. At the beginning of this year it was even speculated that two films would follow up the initial film that was released in 1996 and went on to earn over $817 million in the international box office.

Now with the sequel approved by Fox, the studio will next look at finalizing a deal with Roland Emmerich to direct the film. Deadline is reporting that the cast for the film will be put into place once the director is on board.

Right now, it is not officially known whether the original cast members will be returning. Will Smith, who played the role of Captain Steven Hiller in the original film, has decided not to appear in the sequel. With Will Smith's career in need of a boost that a blockbuster film could provide, many people believe that he will change his mind and come on board. As of now, it is rumored that Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman have agreed to appear in the film.

The script for the Independence Day sequel was written by Nicholas Wright and James Woods after Carter Blanchard was hired to rewrite the first draft that was created by Emmerich, Dean Devlin, and James Vanderbilt. Emmerich, who directed the first film, is also rumored to be producing the sequel. If the release goes ahead as planned on July 4. 2016, the sequel would debut 20 years after the original film.