5 Guys Who Can Replace Will Smith in ID4 2

A few days ago, Roland Emmerich announced that he has a “really good story” for Independence Day 2, a project mentioned years ago that has not really gained any steam until recently. A lot of excitement was generated by Emmerich with this new script, though there is one catch: Will Smith is considered a “gross player”, and Emmerich won’t do the movie without him. Fox is currently reluctant to pay so much money for superstar Will Smith – who was much less popular when the original movie was made in 1996. But could the movie work without it’s star? Here are five actors who could potentially replace Smith in Independence Day 2.

5. Dwayne Johnson

Better known as “The Rock”, Johnson makes this list mainly because of his experience with action movie. His role in The Scorpion King was his first starring one, and several critics commented that his performance “held the movie together”. Unfortunately, “The Rock” likely wouldn’t be able to hold up to the standards set by Will Smith in the original movie, as his acting is just nowhere near as deep as some other actors’.

4. Samuel L Jackson

The so called “King of Cool” may seem like a bit of an odd choice for the list, though he does fit certain requirements for the job. Roland Emmerich has stated that he always envisioned an African American for the role, Jackson has plenty of experience in movies, and, possibly the most important of his requirements: Jackson would provide the star power the movie would lack without Will Smith. He’s become a house-hold name, and his performances are often the best parts of the movies he stars in. Jackson recently made a cameo in Iron Man as S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Nick Fury, and will make the same role a starring one in the upcoming Avengers series of movies.

3. Jeffrey Wright

I’ll admit I was partially influenced to pick Wright because of the standards Emmerich had set for the role, but Jeffrey Wright is an incredibly under-rated actor in his own right (pun not intended; in fact, I was trying to avoid it). He has seen some widely varying roles, but has put a great deal of depth into each one of them. So far, he was won several awards for being a supporting actor – perhaps it’s time for him to get the lead role?

2. Dulé Hill

If you haven’t heard the name before, that’s okay – his name isn’t too popular yet, and he’s only had a handful of movie roles, none of which have been incredibly famous. Chances are, you know him as Charlie Young from the award-winning drama show The West Wing, or as wise-cracking Gus from Psych. It may seem strange to give such an action-filled role to an actor who’s biggest performances have been in a comedy and a drama, but you’d have to face the facts: if Will Smith didn’t return, things would have to change dramatically. Nobody can replace him perfectly, and I believe Dulé Hill could do a good job creating a new role while still keeping with the old movie’s feel.

1. Terrence Howard

And finally, my personal bid for the replacement of Will Smith in Independence Day 2 – Terrence Howard. His roles in Crash and Hustle & Flow show that he is an award-worthy actor, and his role in Iron Man as James Rhodes shows he knows how to sprinkle humor where appropriate. Unlike the possibility of Dulé Hill, Howard could replace Will Smith without changing the character dynamic too much, which I’m sure plenty of fans would appreciate.