Independence Day 3 Planned As Intergalactic Journey

The fact that Director Roland Emmerich finally got around to making a sequel to his hit film Independence Day is surprising enough, but now the director has teased details about a planned third entry in the franchise.

Whether that actually happens or not will likely depend on how the film does internationally. Right now the film is looking to pull in around $41 to $44 million domestically in its opening weekend, which isn't that much less than the original, which clocked in at around $50 million. Still, Independence Day: Resurgence carries a hefty budget of $165 million, so the film will have to make up for some lost ground overseas to warrant another sequel.

If that does happen, Emmerich already has an idea in mind according to his sit down with Empire Online.

"The next one will be an intergalactic journey. It'll be [set] maybe a year or two later, not 20 years [on]. I want to maintain this group of people, especially the young characters, and Jeff [Goldblum] and Brent [Spiner] will take part in it. It'll be fun to keep that group together." Would this famously sequel-shy filmmaker hand the reins to another director? Not likely. "Will I definitely direct it? Oh yes. I'd never, ever let someone else do it."

A third film would pick up pretty smoothly from seeds planted in Resurgence according to Emmerich. Some spoilers follow, so if you haven't seen the film yet avert your eyes.

"I imagine them now going in one of these ships they've rebuilt into a wormhole," explains Emmerich, adding:, "I think it'll be the classic of going into space but it has to be about Earth, and we have a really good idea for that."