Independence Day’s sequel will offer “more spectacle than we have ever seen”, star Jeff Goldblum has promised.

The original film, which was released in 1996, saw Jeff and Will Smith battle to save the world from an alien invasion and the sequel will pick up 20 years later.

The title of the reboot – Independence Day Resurgence – was announced by director Roland Emmerich on the set of the sequel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Jeff Goldblum at an Independence Day Resurgence event
Jeff Goldblum says Independence Day Resurgence will be a spectacle (Eric Charbonneau/Invision)

Jeff returns to his role of David Levinson, who is now in charge of an operation known as Earth Space Defence, and he promised the sequel will deliver even more than the first.

He said: “Besides all the spectacle, which will be more than you have ever seen, it is Roland’s humanistic sweetness that has been reignited in a story about people.”

He promised the weaponry on display will be even more impressive this time around, saying: “We harvest alien technology and merge it with our own.”

Will Smith
Will Smith will not be back for the sequel (John Locher/AP)

Will Smith will not return for the sequel and Roland explained why the Hollywood superstar will not resume his role of Captain Steve Hiller.

“In the very beginning I wanted to work with him and he was excited to be in it, but then after a while he was tired of sequels and he did another science fiction film, which was his father-son story, so he opted out.

“I was at first very disappointed, but friends told me this could be a great chance to try something new and it took me three years to figure it out.

“Now it’s a handover and we deal with the disappearance of Will Smith in a very respectful way, he is still part of this universe. It’s a handover from the old generation to the new.”

Roland Emmerich and Liam Hemsworth at an Independence Day Resurgence event
Roland Emmerich with Liam Hemsworth (Eric Charbonneau/Invision)

Roland added that the events of the original film have created a “post-World War” generation in the sequel, who are united against a common threat.

Jessie Usher, who steps into the role of Captain Hiller’s son Dylan, said: “He grew up in the world that his dad saved. You can only imagine what being the son of the world’s saviour is like, he is under that shadow. He takes it for what it was and runs with it.”

Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth plays newcomer Jake Morrison, who drives a lunar forklift truck known as a “moon tug”.

He said: “It’s kind of unlucky how he ends up in that ship. Jake lost his parents in the first attack, he grew up in an orphanage, and eventually joined the military and became a fighter pilot, and eventually became one of the best of the best fighter pilots.

“I think his ego kind of got in the way, he made a bad decision and put someone’s life at risk, and he got the great job of driving this moon tug, which is basically a forklift on the moon.”

Before gathering the cast for a group selfie on set in front of the huge moon tug, Jeff explained the work his character is doing as the head of the Earth Space Defence.

“It’s my job to lead the way in making sure everyone is safe on this precious planet. Having faced that last challenge, we’re all working in a beautiful way under one goal.

“Borders are no longer relevant in the same way, and that’s a very beautiful idea. We’re working together and the technology that we found from the downed ships has been appropriated and merged with our technology so we are ready with a bigger punch.”

The movie also stars Sela Ward as President Lanford, while Bill Pullman will resume his original role for the sequel. He played President Thomas Whitmore in the first film.

Jeff Goldblum and Sela Ward at an Independence Day Resurgence event
Jeff Goldblum with Sela Ward (Eric Charbonneau/Invision)

Joining the cast is Maika Monroe, who will play President Whitmore’s daughter.

Judd Hirsch and Brent Spiner will resume their roles as Julius Levinson and Dr Brackish Okun respectively.

Independence Day Resurgence is due to be released next year.