‘Independence Day 2’ casts lead role, sets 2016 release date

LOS ANGELES — Fox has cast “Survivor’s Remorse” star Jessie Usher in “Independence Day 2” as the lead. He’s the first cast member attached to the sequel.

Usher will portray the son of Will Smith’s Steven Hiller character from the 1996 original. Smith is not expected to return.

Director Roland Emmerich will return to helm “Independence Day 2,” set for release on June 24, 2016 — almost exactly 20 years from when the first film hit theaters on July 3, 1996. Dean Devlin, Emmerich and Harald Kloser are producing.

Usher stars in the Starz series “Survivor’s Remorse” as a basketball player who moves to Atlanta with his family. The show has been renewed for a second season.

Usher’s film credits include Sony’s football drama “When the Game Stands Tall.” He’s repped by Paradigm and Williams Unlimited.

The news was first reported by the Hollywood Reporter.

Emmerich has confirmed that Liam Hemsworth and Jeff Goldblum will also star. Goldblum appeared in the original as computer expert David Levinson.