Independence Day 3 (2025)

Overview

As of now, Independence Day 3 has not been officially confirmed or announced. While director Roland Emmerich has expressed interest and claims to have developed a potential storyline, no studio, including Disney (which now owns the rights), has greenlit the project. There is no official cast, no filming in progress, and no set release date.

Franchise History and Roadblocks

The original Independence Day (1996) was a massive box office success and a landmark in the sci-fi genre. However, the sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), received poor reviews and performed below expectations financially, earning underwhelming global revenue despite a large budget.

Compounding the issue was the absence of Will Smith, the star of the first film. His character, Captain Steven Hiller, was written out entirely and said to have died off-screen. This created a void in star power and hurt the sequel's reception.

As a result, planned sequels—including a third installment—were put on indefinite hold.

 Roland Emmerich’s Position

Director Roland Emmerich has mentioned in interviews over the years that he already has a story prepared for a third film. He’s shown enthusiasm about continuing the franchise and possibly taking the story further into space, focusing on a war between humanity and interstellar threats. However, Emmerich has also admitted that it’s all theoretical until a studio decides to fund and distribute the project.

 Story Speculation (If It Were Made)

If Independence Day 3 were to happen, the story would likely:

• Continue the thread introduced at the end of Resurgence, where humanity prepares to launch a counter-offensive into space using alien technology.

• Introduce new alien species and allies to expand the scope beyond Earth.

• Follow new characters—possibly including the children or protégés of the original cast—as they take the lead in a new kind of war.

 Fan Sentiment

Among fans, reception to the idea of a third installment is mixed. Many feel that Resurgence damaged the franchise and that another film would need to work hard to regain trust. Others, especially long-time sci-fi fans, remain hopeful for a redemption arc and a more satisfying conclusion.

Final Verdict

• Independence Day 3 (2025) does not exist as a confirmed or in-production film.

• While the director has a concept and would like to proceed, no studio backing or production movement has occurred.

• The project remains purely speculative at this point.