Independence Day 2 Gets Pushed Back By A Year

Variety reports that Fox has pushed back the release date of Independence Day 2 by a year. Originally slated to bow on July 3rd 2015, it will now open July 1st 2016.

One benefit of the delay is that it allows the studio to capitalize that it will be out on the 20th anniversary of the original  "Independence Day"

At last report Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman, were set to reprise their roles as tech whiz David Levinson and Pullman was President Thomas J. Whitmore respectively.

Screenwriter James Vanderbilt ("The Amazing Spider-Man," "Zodiac") is currently at work on a polish of Emmerich and Dean Devlin's script for the second film.

Will Smith may be back in the mix to reprise his role as Captain Steven Hiller.

Speaking with The Playlist, Emmerich says that Vanderbilt has written 'two versions' of the script for the first sequel - one featuring the return of Hiller, and one not including him at all.

Emmerich adds that the version with Smith is "looking good".