It has long been known since the film went into production that Will Smith would not be returning to the role of Captain Steven Hiller in Roland Emmerich’s “Independence Day: Resurgence” which opens this coming Summer.
However, it wasn’t until late last year that the fate of his character was revealed via a promotional viral website for the film – that Hiller died in a test piloting accident back in 2007, almost ten years before the events of the new film.
In a new interview with Yahoo whilst out promoting “Concussion,” Smith was asked about the news of his character’s death and passing on the project:
“I was working on Suicide Squad during that time. [Independence Day director] Roland [Emmerich] and I had talked about it. The trailer looks really cool. I’m going to be sitting around with tears in my eyes when that one comes out… It was terrible when I found out my character died.”
“Independence Day: Resurgence” opens in July whilst the “Suicide Squad” film opens in August.
