Will Smith Isn't Returning For 'Independence Day 2' After All, According To Latest Report

Will Smith Won't Star In 'Independence Day 2' After All
HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 25: Will Smith attends NE-YO & Compound Entertainment 6th Annual GRAMMY Midnight Brunch at Lure on January 25, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 25: Will Smith attends NE-YO & Compound Entertainment 6th Annual GRAMMY Midnight Brunch at Lure on January 25, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

We learned back in October that the long-gestating "Independence Day" sequel has two working scripts: one with Will Smith and one without. Now, according to Deadline.com, it looks like the one that doesn't feature Smith is more likely to enter production.

An anonymous source tells Deadline that Smith has informed Fox he is not on board for the follow-up to the popular sci-fi flick. The early reports indicate Smith has not yet officially broken the news to director Roland Emmerich, who previously said the actor's involvement was "looking good" despite the fact that he's "too expensive" and "too marquee." (HuffPost Entertainment reached out to Smith's rep for confirmation and will update this post upon hearing back.)

The release of "Independence Day 2" -- also known as "ID Forever" -- will coincide the 1996 original's 20th anniversary. It was delayed from July 2015 to July 2016 to avoid a busy summer that includes "Jurassic World," "The Fantastic Four," "Terminator: Genesis" and "Ant-Man." Even if Smith doesn't return, we may still see a star-studded spectacle, as Michael B. Jordan is rumored for the lead, and "Independence Day" stars Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman are reportedly expected to reprise their roles.

The 1996 film became a box office behemoth, collecting $817 million worldwide and winning the Oscar for Best Visual Effects. It's often credited as having jump-started Hollywood's big-budget disaster-film infatuation.

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