Independence Day sequel wants Liam Hemsworth, the Australian Will Smith

By Sean O'Neal | January 27, 2015 | 9:18pm

Aux Features Film

Back in 2013, it was revealed that director Roland Emmerich had two possible scripts for his upcoming Independence Day sequel: one with Will Smith reprising his role as Captain Steve Cigarguy, and an alternate where some other envoy would welcome the aliens back to Earth, this time with even more pronounced sarcasm. And with Smith decidedly out, it seems Emmerich has moved right along to replacing him with Liam Hemsworth, long known as “The Australian Will Smith.”

The youngest brother of the Hemsworth clan, and thus used to being an afterthought, Hemsworth is reportedly now being sought for ID Forever, the first of two planned Independence Day sequels. Details remain scarce about who he or other rumored star Michael B. Jordan might play alongside returning stars Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman. But it’s presumed that producers were searching for someone who could fill in for Smith’s mix of swagger, street smarts, and sass, so naturally Liam Hemsworth’s name came up. Production can now move on to courting the Australian Vivica A. Fox: “Torn” singer Natalie Imbruglia.