Meet the new and returning Independence Day Resurgence cast in our visual spotlight!
Independence Day: Resurgence is the sequel to the 1996 film Independence Day and will see the return of many original cast members, including Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Vivica A. Fox, Judd Hirsch and Brent Spiner. Set twenty years after the first film, Resurgence will also see a return of the aliens who decimated Earth. We’ve taken their tech and created a defense program, but before they were destroyed, the aliens set out a distress signal. Other battalions heard their call for help and the world has to pull together again to beat their forces. Independence Day: Resurgence will hit theaters on June 24. Let’s take a look at the new and returning cast!
Independence Day Resurgence Cast: Liam Hemsworth as Jake Morrison
Liam Hemsworth plays a pilot in Earth Space Defense (ESD) whose parents were killed in the attack twenty years back. He’s one of the best pilots in the ESD. Hemsworth, part of an acting family which includes Chris Hemsworth (The Avengers: Age of Ultron) is best known for playing the role of Gale Hawthorne in the Hunger Games films. He also appeared in The Last Song and The Muppets.
Independence Day Resurgence Cast: Jeff Goldblum as David Levinson
Jeff Goldblum will reprise the role of the scientist and computer expert who discovered the key to defeating the aliens, and is now the director of the ESD. Goldblum is known for playing scientists and extra-smart men in films like The Fly, Jurassic Park and Powder. He’s also got a comedy background, playing an alien in Earth Girls Are Easy, Bill Murray’s rival in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and a number of roles in the TV series Portlandia.
Independence Day Resurgence Cast: Bill Pullman as President Thomas J. Whitmore
Bill Pullman is returning to one of his best-known roles, which we saw in the trailer. He’s the one who warns us that the aliens are “coming back.” Pullman was introduced to audiences in 1986’s Ruthless People and 1987’s Star Wars parody Spaceballs. He played a President once again in the TV series 1600 Penn and appeared in the series Torchwood: Miracle Day. He’s also known for his work in While You Were Sleeping, Lost Highway and Scary Movie 4.
Independence Day Resurgence Cast: Judd Hirsch as Julius Levinson
Hirsch will reprise the role of Julius Levinson, the father of Goldblum’s David Levinson. Julius had a hand in stopping the invasion last time around and is likely to do the same twenty years later. Hirsch is best known for playing Alex Rieger on the TV series Taxi, which ran from 1978-1983. He also played Alan Epees on CBS’ Numb3rs. He’s had a long theater career and has appeared in films like A Beautiful Mind and Ordinary People.
Independence Day Resurgence Cast: Vivica A. Fox as Jasmine Dubrow-Hiller
Vivica A. Fox will return as the widow of Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith, who is not returning), who was killed in a test run of a fighter plane designed with alien technology. Jasmine was an exotic dancer and is now a hospital administrator. Fox began her career in soap operas like Days of Our Lives, but Independence Day was one of her breakout roles. She’s starred in films like Set It Off, Kill Bill, Ella Enchanted and shows like Drop Dead Diva, Raising Hope and does voice work for shows like The Proud Family, Loonatics Unleashed and Sofia the First.
Independence Day Resurgence Cast: Brent Spiner as Dr. Brackish Okun
Brent Spiner will be back as the wacky scientist and head of Area 51 research Dr. Brackish Okun. He died in the last film, you say? Nope. Now he’s working at ESD. Spiner is best known for playing Lieutenant Commander Data in the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation as well as for several Star Trek films. Spiner appeared as Brother Adrian on Warehouse 13 and as himself on The Big Bang Theory. He’s currently working on the series Outcast. He also does voice work, playing the role of Gall Trayvis on Star Wars Rebels.
Independence Day Resurgence Cast: Maika Monroe as Patricia Whitmore
Maika Monroe will play the role of former First Daughter Patricia Whitmore. The role will be familiar to fans of the original, though Mae Whitman played Patricia last time around. Monroe is a professional kiteboarder in addition to being an axtress. She’s appeared in The Bling Ring in a small role and the film Labor Day, with Kate Winslet. She’s also played roles in the horror films It Follows and The Guest. She played Ringer in the young adult adaptation of the novel The 5th Wave earlier this year.
Independence Day Resurgence Cast: Jessie T. Usher as Dylan Dubrow-Hiller
In another recast role, Jessie T. Usher plays the stepson of Steven Hiller, now deceased, and Jasmine Dubrow-Hiller. The role of Dylan was previously played by Ross Bagley. Dylan is a pilot and captain in the ESD. Usher has played rolls in TV episodes in shows like Hannah Montana, The Mentalist and G.I.Joe: Renegades. He played the lead in Level Up and is currently starring in Survivor’s Remorse as Cam Calloway. He appeared in the films InAPPropriate Comedy, Teenage and When the Game Stands Tall.
Independence Day Resurgence Cast: Sela Ward as President Elizabeth Lanford
Sela Ward plays the current President of the United States, the first woman to do so. She will, according to interviews with the actress, be even tougher than President Whitmore. Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winner Ward’s breakout role was in the 1994 TV series Sisters. She’s appeared in the drama series Once and Again, House and CSI: NY. She developed and produced the documentary The Changing Face of Beauty, about the cultural obsession with youth. She recently appeared in the film Gone Girl and will play a leading role in the upcoming comedy Graves.
Independence Day Resurgence Cast: Angelababy as Rain Lao
Actress, model and singer Angelababy will play the role of Chinese pilot and lieutenant Rain in ESD. Angelababy has been starring in films in China for some time, and has broken onto the scene in the states in films like Hitman: Agent 47. She starred in the Japanese web series Tweet Love Story and did the speaking voice of Rapunzel in the Cantonese dub of Disney’s Tangled.
Who are you most excited to see return? Which new face is getting you pumped for the film? Let us know in the comments.
(Photo Credit: WENN.com)
