‘Independence Day’ Sequel Will Feature Gay Character, Says Roland Emmerich
The upcoming Independence Day sequel will feature a gay character.
Filmmaker Roland Emmerich is known for his LGBT activism. During a recent interview, the White House Down director revealed the sequel will incorporate a gay character into the story.
“Actually in the next ‘Independence Day’ there is a gay character,” Emmerich told The Huffington Post when asked if any gay rights issues would find their way into the film.
Roland Emmerich didn’t elaborate further on the gay character featured in the forthcoming Independence Day sequel. However, the director said Bill Pullman would reprise his role as President Thomas J. Whitmore.
As far as Will Smith is concerned, it would appear the After Earth star is simply too expensive these days to be considered for the sequel. Emmerich also stated Smith was too much of a name for the follow-up.
“Will 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. We have maybe half of the people that you would know from the first film, and the other half people who are new,” the director explained.
According to the folks at Slash Film, the follow-up will reference Smith’s character as well as his step-son. Unfortunately for fans, the Independence Day sequel will be Fresh Prince-free when it hits cinemas.
Despite the absence of its original star, the next installment in Emmerich’s franchise is expected to arrive in theaters on July 3, 2015. A fitting release date given the title.
Are you looking forward to the Independence Day sequel? What do you think about Emmerich adding a gay character to the story? Are you disappointed that Will Smith won’t be returning?
[Image via 20th Century Fox]
