No Will Smith? No problem.
Producers of the highly anticipated sequel to the 1996 blockbuster Independence Day are reportedly considering Fruitvale Station star Michael B. Jordan for a lead role.
The original sci-fi action film remains the highest-grossing film of Will Smith’s career, but he has apparently he’s become to pricey to cast for a second go-round.
“Will Smith can not come back because he’s too expensive, but he’d also be too much of a marquee name,” director Roland Emmerich told the New York Daily News in June. “It would be too much.”
Snagging Jordan would be a coup since he’s hot off his breakout performance as Oscar Grant in Fruitvale and is poised to play Apollo Creed’s son in an upcoming Rocky spin-off.
The 26-year-old is also said to be in the running for the role of the Human Torch in an upcoming Fantastic Four reboot.
The Independence Day follow-up is currently scheduled for 2015 but may be pushed back to 2016. What role Jordan may play is unclear at this time.