"The Hunger Games" actor Liam Hemsworth has signed on for another major franchise, this time its the revival of a 90s hit which starred Will Smith. Earlier reports indicated that the younger brother of "Thor" will be starring in the sequel to the end-of-the-world blockbuster.
It was confirmed by Roland Emmerich via Twitter that original cast Brent Spiner and newcomer to the franchise Joey King have both signed on to appear in "Independence Day 2" alongside the 25-year-old heartthrob.
This just in... @JoeyKingActress and @BrentSpiner officially signed for #IndependenceDay - Welcome aboard!
— Roland Emmerich (@rolandemmerich) April 9, 2015
"This just in... @JoeyKingActress and @BrentSpiner officially signed for #IndependenceDay - Welcome aboard!" wrote the director over social media.
Digital Spy continued to report that Spiner's scientist character Dr. Brackish Okun seems to have died in the first film, "director Emmerich teased on the first film's DVD commentary that the character is actually in a coma."
Independence Day 2 Movie News
Aside from these three stars, other actors from the original flick set to reprise their roles include Jeff Goldblum (David Levinson) and Vivica A. Fox (Jamine Dubrow).
Goldblum led the film alongside Will Smith in the 1996 film and the characters of Fox and Smith -- who will not be returning -- get married. However, with Smith declining to take part in the second installment, t'll be interesting to see how the plot will play out as well as the following the film can generate without the original film's lead actor.
In addition, Entertainment Weekly notes that other stars in the film are Jessie Usher and Charlotte Gainsbourg.
In other news, filming for the much-awaited sequel begins next month and the official casting call for the film was just announced. The movie will be filmed in Albuquerque, NM.
Sources reveal that its title, referred to as "IDR" or what is believed to be "Independence Day Forever," will take place 20 years after the events of the original movie.
A website reported that the plot will see, "a new wave of alien 'reinforcements' arrive on earth in response to a distress signal sent up by the 'first wave' of extraterrestrial visitors."
The original "Independence Day" film was released in 1006 and took in $817.4 million worldwide.
Below is the trailer for the original "Independence Day" film to jog your memory. It carries the tagline "Welcome to Earth," which has since become a fan favorite.
