Will Smith was hurt when he found out his character died on Independence Day 2.
Independence Day: Resurgence is ramping up their promoting efforts especially after the first trailer hit the Internet. Folks noticed which characters are coming back, what new actors are joining the franchise, and the fact that Will Smith will not be returning.
The loss of Will Smith’s character hit audiences pretty hard. Will Smith chose not to return as Col. Steven Hiller, and the sequel’s trailer doesn’t explain why. This seemed like a huge mistake until we soon learned of Hiller’s fate, which was almost as upset than not knowing. Apparently, Hiller died in a fiery plan crash while testing an alien plane.
Smith addressed his character’s absence in an interview with Yahoo! Movies while promoting Concussion. Will Smith seemed upset by Steven Hiller’s tragic death.
“I was working on Suicide Squad during that time. 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.”
“It was terrible when I found out my character died.”
It’s pretty straight forward as to why Hiller had to die. That is the only way the studio could explain why he couldn’t appear in the next movie. Still, there’s not too much closure in realizing how Will Smith will never appear in the Independence Day: Resurgence movie.
Also strange? Hiller’s character never rose above the Colonel ranking, but we’ve heard no explanation there.
(Via Yahoo! Movies)
