2024 was a big year forWill Smith, who returned to the role of Mike Lowery for the fourth time inBad Boys: Ride or Die, the legacy action sequel that hauled in more than $400 million at the worldwide box office. However, nearly 30 years ago he starred in a sci-fi epic that would go on to become one of his most famous movies of all time. Smith features alongsideBill PullmanandJeff GoldbluminIndependence Day, the 1996 alien invasion film that follows humanity’s fight to survive against a more advanced race.Independence Daybegan streaming for free on Tubinot long ago, and the film has found swift success, currently in the #3 spot at the time of writing. It also earned scores of 68% from critics and 75% from audiences onRotten Tomatoes.
Aside from Will Smith’s epic performance and an $817 million box office total against a $75 million budget,Independence Day’s biggest claim to fame is its Oscar win for Best Visual Effects, and its nomination for Best Sound. The film was written byDean DevlinandRoland Emmerich, with Emmerich also stepping behind the camera to direct.Independence Dayis still among Emerich’s most famous works in his career, along withThe Day After Tomorrow, another disaster epic starringDennis QuaidandJake Gyllenhaalthat also found streaming success recently. He also directed the 1998Godzillamovie starringMatthew BroderickandHank Azaria, and his most recent work came from helmingMoonfall, the critically panned space sci-fi disaster epic starringPatrick Wilson,Halle Berry, andGame of ThronesveteranJohn Bradley.
Will Smith Did Not Return for the ‘Independence Day’ Sequel
Director Roland Emmerich returned to helmIndependence Day: Resurgence, the legacy sequel that was released 21 years after the original, but Will Smith did not reprise his role as Captain Steven Miler. BothJeff Goldblumand Bill Pulman returned to reprise their roles, but Smith was replaced in the lead role byLiam Hemsworth, who plays Jake Morrison. Smith has said in the past that the only reason he didn’t star inIndependence Day 2wasdue to scheduling conflicts, primarilySuicide Squad, the comic book film starringMargot Robbiethat was released in the same year asIndependence Day 2and was also filming around the same time.
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Independence Day
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