Will Smith will shortly begin talks to reprise his role as Captain Steven Hiller in the upcoming sequel to Independence Day, according to director Roland Emmerich.

Contrary to reports that Smith would not feature in the follow-up to the 1996 alien invasion blockbuster, Emmerich confirmed to Digital Spy that discussions are underway with the actor who memorably vowed to "whoop ET's ass" in the original.


The German director, whose latest action movie White House Down makes explicit reference to Independence Day's destruction of the presidential building, said: "I sometimes say no, Will Smith will not be in it because he didn't want to do it at first. Now we have a meeting planned, we want to talk about it again. Anything can happen."

While promoting After Earth in June, Smith told DS he was planning to shun blockbuster movies, saying: "I think I'm going to start moving out of that and finding more danger in my artistic choices."

Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum have already been officially confirmed to return for the sequel, which will be released in either 2015 or 2016. The original grossed over $800m (£513m) worldwide after its release in July 1996.

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“Fruitvale Station” star Michael B. Jordan is being eyed for a major role in Roland Emmerich’s “Independence Day” sequel, multiple individuals familiar with the 20th Century Fox project have told TheWrap.

Jordan has not yet received an offer, nor does one seem imminent. 20th Century Fox and Emmerich had no comment, with official casting news expected closer to the holidays.

Emmerich has met with several up-and-coming young actors, including Jordan, who is high on the studio’s list. Fox execs like Jordan for the part — his name has been thrown around repeatedly in creative meetings — and Jordan is interested, multiple individuals with knowledge of the star’s thinking have told TheWrap.

Should Fox make an offer, the studio would effectively be doubling down on Jordan’s star potential, as the actor is poised to play the Human Torch in its “Fantastic Four” reboot, as TheWrap first reported.

It’s unclear whether Will Smith will return for the sequel, or what part Jordan is being eyed for. A representative for Smith told TheWrap that the actor’s status regarding the “Independence Day” sequel remains unchanged — meaning he’s not officially involved at this time.

Smith could be paired with Jordan or “pass the torch” to the rising star, who would then take over the franchise should Fox move forward with additional installments. After all, the sequel is known as “ID Forever Part I.”

Emmerich recently sat down with screenwriter James Vanderbilt (“The Amazing Spider-Man”) and producers Dean Devlin and Harald Kloser to discuss the sequel, which is scheduled to blow up theaters on July 3, 2015, though recent reports suggest it could be delayed to 2016. Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman are expected to reprise their roles.

Fox executives believe Jordan is a budding movie star with mainstream appeal. Not only did he star in the studio’s sleeper hit “Chronicle” but he has cultivated a diverse fan base thanks to his turns on “The Wire,” “Friday Night Lights” and “Parenthood.”

Jordan has bided his time since earning rave reviews for Ryan Coogler’s award-winning Sundance film “Fruitvale Station,” which have helped establish him as a serious contender in the Oscar race. The only project he has signed on to is MGM’s “Creed,” in which he would play the grandson of Rocky Balboa friend/foe Apollo Creed.

In an interview with Vulture last month, Jordan explained that his career strategy is to “make smart choices and do movies that appeal to everybody and playing characters that aren’t written for the black guy.” He went on to admit that “I want to play that action hero, that guy that saves the day.”

And there’s no bigger day to save than Independence Day.

Jordan, who next stars in FilmDistrict’s romantic comedy “That Awkward Moment,” is repped by WME, the Schiff Co. and attorney Gregory Slewett.

The world will have to wait another year for its Independence Day 2. Fox said today that it is moving the long-in-coming sequel from July 3, 2015 — a date it had announced in June — to July 1, 2016. That means the Roland Emmerich-helmed pic will arrive exactly 20 years and one day after the blockbuster original, which made a movie star of Will Smith. A look at the Way-Ahead Machine reveals that the ID4:2 (or however it will be texted in 2 1/2 years) will go up against another bombing-themed pic: Sony’s Angry Birds.

While promoting After Earth in June, Smith told DS he was planning to shun blockbuster movies, saying: "I think I'm going to start moving out of that and finding more danger in my artistic choices."