Independence Day 2 tipped to arrive in 2016

We've been hearing about a follow-up to Independence Day for quite some time, and finally (finally) there's good news: 20th Century Fox has given the green light to proceed with the film, which will enter production in May 2015. Such information comes from Deadline, which is reporting that Will Smith won't be taking up his former role — something that doesn't come as a surprise to those who have been keeping an eye on the rumors. We've got all the details after the jump.

The information comes from sources at this point, so nothing official has been announced. If what is being reported proves true, however, Fox is planning to release the movie on June 24, 2016 — about a year later than the July 3, 2015 release date that was being rumored last year.

The news follows hints dropped by Jeff Goldblum back in October during a talk with Time magazine. It has been suggested Goldblum will have a part in the sequel; Deadline didn't mention whether their source had confirmed this, so it is still a waiting game at this point for more details.

For now, the studio is said to be working with Roland Emmerich to get a directing deal in place, after which point casting will reportedly begin. The script was written by James A. Woods and Nicolas Wright. According to Deadline — and despite past rumors saying otherwise — only one film has been given the go-ahead, not two.

SOURCE: Deadline