‘Independence Day 2’ Casting Controversy: Mae Whitman Left Off Of Sequel, Maika Monroe Takes Role Of President’s Daughter

Whether you want it or not, there’s another “Independent Day” on the way, and it's already creating some controversy. The part of the president's daughter, played by Mae Whitman in the 1996 original, has been recast. E! News reports 26-year-old Whitman was passed over this time because of her looks.

At first it seemed like the majority of the “Independence Day” cast was going to come aboard for (presumably) defending the earth from aliens in the 2016 sequel. Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Vivica A. Fox and Judd Hirsch are slated to return to the roles they originated in the '90s summer blockbuster. Jessie Usher and Liam Hemsworth are joining the cast as fresh faces.

While basically everyone but star Will Smith had plans to return, The Hollywood Reporter revealed Whitman wasn’t even on the shortlist of actresses considered for the role. Other names like Gabriella Wilde and "The Longest Ride" star Britt Robertson were considered, but not Whitman. Maika Monroe has since been cast in the role.

Monroe and Whitman are both box-office draws, with Monroe recently in “It Follows” and Whitman in “The DUFF.” So speculation has it that someone like director Roland Emmerich, or 20th Century Fox, deemed Whitman unappealing for the role of Hemsworth’s character’s girlfriend.

As it stands, the adorable brunette president’s daughter in “Independence Day” grows up to be an attractive blond love interest in “Independence Day 2." Call it Hollywood progress.

“Independence Day 2” strikes theaters on June 24, 2016.