Will Smith Not Returning for 'Independence Day 2'

While Independence Day 2 was recently announced for a July 2015 release, the original film’s star Will Smith will not be returning for the sequel.

“[He] can not come back because he’s too expensive, but he’d also be too much of a marquee name,” the film’s director Roland Emmerich said (via Complex). “It would be too much.”

“We’re not doing a total reboot, we’re doing something that’s totally unusual,” he added. “I think some aliens will be back.”

The sequel will reportedly be the first of a two part-story with the title ID Forever, Part 1.

ARE YOU SAD that Will Smith will not star in Independence Day 2?