[_____V_____]

Here's a project we haven't heard about for a while - a sequel to mega-bucks sci-fi blockbuster Independence Day. Way back in 2003 director Roland Emmerich and writer Dean Devlin confirmed they were working on a script, but since then we've not heard much about the film.

Until now that is, with Latino Review quizzing the helmer whilst he's doing press for his latest movie 2012. Emmerich told them why the sequel has taken so long to get off the ground:

"Dean Devlin and I are still set to make a sequel because we've found some sort of idea and we approached [studio 20th Century] Fox and Fox has not quite figured out how to incorporate Dean's and my deal, and Will's [Smith] deal. Will wants to do it in some sort of a package they can live with.

"So it's just been in negations now since forever, and naturally Fox says "Why don't you do it without Will Smith?" I said Will is essential for us, for this movie and actually for the audience too. And, so, it's in limbo and lately the studios are fighting. Like gross players, and Will is a gross player and is probably the only gross player right now who's worth his gross. So we'll see what happens. I would love to do it."

Emmerich wouldn't elaborate on the plot, but insisted: "There's a very really great story, a very cool one."

So there you go, it seems if the studio is prepared to pay for Will Smith, then we could, just maybe, get a sequel to one of the biggest summer movies of recent times.