Actor Will Smith won't be reprising his role as captain Steven Hiller, in the sequel to the 1996 blockbuster film Independence Day.

According to Deadline, Smith has informed Fox studio executives that he is passing on ID4 2.

Reports say ID4 2, which will still be produced, is slated for release in 2016, July 4th weekend. The release date will mark the 20th anniversary of the first film's original release in 1996. Independence Day is the film that launched Will Smith into the "world's most bankable movie star" that he is today.

Deadline also says, original cast members Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum are returning.  Actor Michael B. Jordan, who starred in Fruitvale Station and That Awkward Momenthas been linked to the movie as well.

The Roland Emmerich directed Independence Day grossed $811 million worldwide. Emmerich will direct the sequel as well.

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