The somewhat frazzled plot of “Independence Day: Resurgence,” 2016’s big budget sequel to 1996’s seminal summer classic, was a consequence of hastily rewriting the script when Will Smith abruptly dropped out of the film, director Roland Emmerich recently revealed to TheWrap.
There are undoubtedly some impressive set pieces (including a sequence that features a kaiju-sized version of the classic “Independence Day” alien) in the film and Jeff Goldblum, taking center stage, unleashes all his Goldblumian eccentricities to great effect. But there was definitely something missing. And Emmerich agrees.
While speaking to the filmmaker about his new movie “Moonfall” (out everywhere tomorrow), Emmerich talked about the problems he faced while putting “Independence Day: Resurgence” together and how he soldiered on more out of financial obligation than creative exploration.