Emmerich himself first reported (via Twitter) that actress Vivica A. Fox will reprise her role from the 1996 film (pictured above) in the upcoming sequel, in which she played the girlfriend and eventual wife of Will Smith’s character.
Exciting news… just officially closed @MsVivicaFox for #IndependenceDay! Here's the pic! pic.twitter.com/hXVjnqOFaD
— Roland Emmerich (@rolandemmerich) March 24, 2015
Fox joins Jeff Goldblum as the only announced cast members from the original film to be returning for the sequel so far. Bill Pullman, who played U.S. President Thomas J. Whitmore in the 1996 film, is also expected to return for the sequel in some capacity but nothing has been confirmed at this point.
Earlier this week, Nymphomaniac actress Charlotte Gainsbourg was also reported to be joining the cast. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actress who’s best known for her work in the indie realm and with auteur Lars von Trier will play an unspecified role in Emmerich’s film.
Other newcomers to the cast include Liam Hemsworth and Jessie Usher, with the former playing the son-in-law of Pullman’s character and the latter playing the son of Smith’s character.
The sequel to Independence Day is currently scheduled to hit theaters June 24, 2016.
