We may be buzzing about the possibility of a different woman in the White House by the time Independence Day 2 opens in 2016, but for now, the Roland Emmerich-directed sequel has just added Sela Ward to its cast in the key role of President Lanford.
Ward, known best for her role on CSI: NY, has a history with Emmerich – they last worked together on The Day After Tomorrow, which stands as one of the helmer’s biggest hits. Though Ward has done more work on the small screen since playing Dr. Lucy Hall in that disaster extravaganza, she last appeared as Sharon Schieber in David Fincher’s Gone Girl.
She joins a cast that includes some familiar faces, like Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman and Vivica A. Fox, all of whom starred in Independence Day way back in 1996, as well as newcomers to the franchise like Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1), Charlotte Gainsbourg (Nymphomaniac) and Maika Monroe (The Guest).
A sequel to Independence Day has been in the works for absolutely ages, but it was Carter Blanchard who cracked the script, working alongside Emmerich, producer Dean Devlin, James A. Woods and Nicolas Wright. With a story in place, the blockbuster title can now get moving in earnest. Production is being eyed to start later this month.
Independence Day 2 (which may or may not still be titled ID Forever – Part 1) is set to open in theaters on June 24, 2016. A summer slot means that the studio has a great deal of confidence in Emmerich’s ability to turn a ’90s hit into a big-name franchise – currently, the film has that weekend to itself, but more titles are certain to crowd in.