Last fall, Ronald Emmerich kicked us news that not only did he still have plans for an "Independence Day" sequel, but that he had ideas for two sequels, and LOL-worthy titles for each: "ID4-ever: Part I" and "ID4-ever: Part II."

When we checked in with the director in February of this year as he was promoting the DVD for "2012," we asked for some "ID4-ever" plot details. And, much to our surprise, he delivered. Yet we haven't published Emmerich's thoughts until now. Sorry! First off, he describes the story — which would be set in the present day, over a decade after the alien invasion of the original film — as an "alternate reality" film.

"It's an alternate reality kind of movie," he said. "We pick up the story, what would have happened after this kind of attack? Naturally, the alien technology has changed everything."

Did they rebuild the White House? Who will be president?

"Or, who will be president?" Emmerich answered. "Who will be president? See?"

He'd just dropped us a non-too-subtle clue with that drawn out "will," and the implication was clear: Will Smith, the fighter jet-flying hero of the 1996 film, at some point became commander-in-chief after the attacks. Whether he remains Mr. President during the course of the sequels or is eventually elected during the new films is an open question.

Now to Bill Pullman, the president during the events of the first flick. While at the Toronto Film Festival to promote the indie "Rio Sex Comedy," Pullman chatted with MTV's Josh Horowitz about the "Independence Day" sequels and expressed skepticism that the movies would actually ever shift into production.

"It would be a challenge, just creatively with the studio, how much money it would take to make it, whether Will would come and do it and what the story would be," he said.

Yet Pullman was clearly tickled that Emmerich continues to work on the project, and suggested that perhaps the director could actually make the films a reality.

"Isn't that beautiful? He is one guy who may be able to pull it off. He doesn't let it die. And people seem to want to hear that it's gonna be done," he said, adding, "There's a twinkle in his eye when he talks about it."

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/09/30/in ... more-42808

Now, I was underwhelmed by Independence Day (the hype didn't bolster the fact that too many characters really won't help a crap script), but I love that concept

Would you like to see another one? Maybe? Couldn't care less?

I asked Miriam Butt if she would go out with me, just as Big Willie was pulling up hard on the joystick to avoid the mothership. I remember the screen and the excitement and I remember the victory cigar. But mostly I remember Jeff Goldblum, Brent Spiner, the crazy old drunk pilot dude and beautiful, epic photography.

Emmerich is one of those guys, it'll probably be gash, but it'll be worth seeing on the big screen...

I would be much more likely to go and see it if Will Smith wasn't in it. His character single-handedly ruined ID4 (even more so than Randy Quaid's) and he can't act anyway, or if he can it is only in comedy stuff like MIB where he plays his Fresh Prince character again. Shame, because ID4 is pretty good for the first half but jumps the shark with the dog in the tunnel bit. Great soundtrack though.

Are you fracking serious?! Surely, you're exaggerating or do you actually think that??

He was really rather very bloody good in Ali.

Mark

Perhaps I overstated it a bit, yes, but while I think he's good in comedies, I don't think he shows any range when he takes on a more straightforward role. Mind you, I must say he was good in The Legend of Bagger Vance so perhaps I'll sort of retract my initial statement

"Welcome to Earth". Independence Day is one of the best action films, up there with Top Gun and The Matrix.

No, Chris. No it's not.

Mark

Yes, Tim. Yes it is.

Chris

*slap*
It's. Not.

Mark

tis

Isn't.

Mark

ID4 came out almost simultaneously with Tim Burton's Mars Attacks which I didn't like on first viewing and came to appreciate later; yet I really enjoyed ID4 for the most part and I don't rate it that highly now. Maybe because ID4 is so good for the first half and falls so far in the second, yet Mars Attacks is as mad as a badger throughout.

The winner?

D'you hear that, Chris?
I'm no longer alone! *maniacal laughter*

Mark

You know my feelings about Mars Attacks.