'Independence Day 2': First Poster And Official Synopsis Revealed

The first promotional poster for “Independence Day 2” was revealed via Collider from Licensing Expo 2015 in Las Vegas. It features a beam of light hitting Earth from another object in space. Web speculation suggests that the light signals the return of aliens from the first "Independence Day" film.

An official synopsis of the film also was revealed. It reads: “After 'Independence Day' redefined the event movie genre, the next epic chapter delivers global catastrophe on an unimaginable scale. Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defense program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens’ advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring our world back from the brink of extinction.”

“Independence Day 2” will be set in the alternate reality where humans will be shown living in peace for 20 years since the events of first "Independence Day" film. It will feature Jessie Usher and Liam Hemsworth in the lead roles. Usher will play the son of Will Smith’s character, Capt. Steven Hiller, from the first “Independence Day,” whereas Hemsworth will play Jake Morrison. Jeff Goldblum will return as David Levinson, Vivica A. Fox as Jasmine Dubrow-Hiller and Bill Pulman as Thomas J. Whitmore.

Smith will not return. According to director Roland Emmerich’s recent media interview, “Smith cannot come back because he’s too expensive, but he’d also be too much of a marquee name. It would be too much," reported Metro.

Emmerich is directing and has also written he screenplay with Carter Blanchard and Dead Devlin. The film is under production in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and will open in the theaters on June 24, 2016. The other cast members include Maika Monroe, Brent Spiner, Sela Ward, Chin Han and Charlotte Gainsbourg.