In the trend of other long-awaited sequels hitting theaters in recent years like Mad Max: Fury Road and Jurassic World, 20th Century Fox will soon be debuting the sequel to 1996 blockbuster alien invasion flick Independence Day. Taking place two decades after the events of The War of 1996, Independence Day: Resurgence welcomes back many starring characters as well as director Roland Emmerich.
So far, the trailers for Independence Day: Resurgence have largely focused on the bigger and badder alien force that will be plaguing Earth for the second time in the sequel as well as the destruction wrought by their technology. But, a new viral clip for the Independence Day sequel bridges the gap between the films and offers an in-depth look at the worlds Earth Space Defense organization.
The viral video (above) is comprised of the fictional United World News special report on The War of 1996. In the aftermath of the war, the world formed the Earth Space Defense, led by David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), who speaks about the organization:
The ESD has been an international collaborative grand effort and our main goal, of course, is to keep us safe. Ive taken a leadership role in developing many aspects of this defense system. As you know, its taken a huge effort to get a big military base on the moon, and these orbiting units, which have a big punch to them.
Independence Day Resurgence Viral Video Jeff Goldblum Independence Day 2 Viral Clip: A World Changed by Alien Technology
The report also features ESD Moon Base Commander Jiang Lao (Chin Han) talking about the technology present on the base, including their replicated city destroyer cannon from the original alien ships. Additionally, the report focuses on three of ESDs fighter pilots, Captain Dylan Hiller (Jessie Usher), Lieutenant Rain Lao (Angelababy), and Jake Morrison (Liam Hemsworth). In addition to these cast members, Independence Day: Resurgence will feature returning characters like ex-President Thomas Whitmore (Bill Pullman), Jasmine Dubrow-Hiller (Vivica A. Fox), Julius Levinson (Judd Hirsch), and Dr. Brackish Okun (Brent Spiner). Plus, fellow newcomers include: Maika Monroe as Patricia Whitmore, Sela Ward as President Elizabeth Lanford, and Charlotte Gainsbourg as Dr. Catherine Marceaux.
While much of the trailers and TV spots released to promote Independence Day: Resurgence have focused on the return of the alien invaders, this viral video along with the previously released viral site documenting the aftermath of The War of 1996 is tasked with filling in the 20-year gap between the sequel and its predecessor. Both the video and the site make it clear that Emmerich and those who joined him behind the camera to bring Independence Day: Resurgence to life have put plenty of thought and work into the world-building aspect of this sci-fi franchise.
Of course, we wont know if these viral marketing tools will be effective in bringing audiences up to speed until Independence Day: Resurgence hits theaters this summer. But, as weve seen in the past with both Mad Max: Fury Road and Jurassic World, the viewers knowledge of previous installments may not be necessary to enjoying the sequel though it remains to be seen if Independence Day: Resurgence will prove to be as successful at the box office as the original 1996 blockbuster.
http://screenrant.com/independence-day-2-resurgence-viral-video/
