Events for films have often become part of the course for cinematic lovers. Placing our cast and crew at the centre of a media presentation across the interwebs, most movies use it to showcase a whole stream of props and clips in order to bristle audiences with excitement. Spectre did it to announce its cast. An epic Star Wars Day event was planned and executed well with the best trailer we’ve seen all year.
Now for the impending Independence Day sequel, the major players of the film gathered in LA to talk about the film. And, well, they are definitely playing their cards close to their chest.
Keeping a lot of details hush hush, the Independence Day live event introduced us to old characters as well as new, with a gaping hole where Will Smith should be. There’s a lot of development here including Sela Ward as the first female President Landford, replacing Bill Pullman’s Thomas J. Whitmore, the epic monologue spouting American leader who now develops defence. Alongside him is Jeff Goldblum’s David Levinson and his father Julius, played by Judd Hirsh, races against time to save him. Vivica A Fox’s Jasmine is now a nurse whilst her son Dylan is following in his father’s footsteps to become a fighter pilot. Brent Spiner, who played scientist turned alien muppet, returns as Brackish Okun - surprising us all. Especially those who assumed him dead. Of the new cast present, horror actress Maika Monroe is the grown up Patricia Whitmore who is trying to impress her dad by also becoming a fighter pilot too; Chin Han, the leader of the Chinese Squadron and The Hunger Games’ Liam Hemsworth also makes an appearance as generically named Jake Morrison.
Yet with this event there is something missing and that is weighted in the lack of production and information they can give. All it has done is reminded us that there is a sequel upcoming that is embellished with the advancement in SFX since 1996. Alhough, we do get to see our favourite crew back for another other-worldly mission and any project with Jeff Goldblum in it cannot be bad. Still, for all those who stayed up late globally, this was a bit of an empty promise.
We won’t know more until the fat lady sings…