‘Independence Day’ sequels planned by Fox

Will Smith

Fox is planning two sequels to the 1996 alien invasion movie Independence Day, it has been reported.

The two movies are expected to shoot back-to-back, focusing on a single storyline, according to New York Magazine.

Independence Day, which starred Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman, grossed $800 million (£498 million) worldwide.

Talks of back-to-back sequels featuring Smith began in earnest in early 2009. However, when Smith allegedly asked for $50 million (£31 million) to shoot the two films, Fox put plans for the sequels on hold.

“The delay wasn’t about whether they both wanted to make the movie,” a source said. “It had more to do with ‘Whose d**k is bigger?'”

Insiders also told the website that the scripts for the two follow-ups will be ready by December of this year, adding that Fox is prepared to shoot the films without Smith.

Smith recently became a part-owner of basketball team the Philadelphia 76ers.

Earlier this year, he dismissed rumours of a split between him and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, saying that the claims were “ridiculous”.