It has been years since Independence Day, Resurgence debuted in theaters, yet fans are eagerly awaiting any news on Independence Day 3. Here’s a breakdown of the factors that have prevented this sequel from moving forward and what the future might hold.
A major obstacle to Independence Day 3 has been the absence of Will Smith, a pivotal figure in the original film. Smith played the role of the charismatic fighter pilot Steven Hiller but did not return for Independence Day: Resurgence due to scheduling conflicts. His character was written out, explaining Hiller’s death within the storyline. This absence significantly impacted the sequel’s potential appeal.
Independence Day: Resurgence faced considerable criticism and underperformed at the box office. Released on June 24, 2016, it grossed $103 million in North America and $384 million worldwide, far less than the original film’s $817 million. With a higher budget, the sequel’s financial returns were disappointing. Critics and audiences alike were unimpressed, evident from its 29% critics score and 30% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This negative reception effectively stalled plans for Independence Day 3. Director Roland Emmerich initially envisioned Resurgence to set the stage for future films, expanding the universe with new characters and continuing the story against the alien Harvesters on their home planet. However, these ambitions were put on hold due to the sequel’s commercial failure.
