Mae Whitman was originally cast to play President Thomas Whitmore's (played by Bill Pullman) daughter in the first Independence Day, however despite her impressive acting chops, she was not considered for a role in the upcoming sequel. Instead, as we reported yesterday, Maika Monroe scored the role of Patricia Whitmore.
Both are fine actors, but what some fans are wondering is why Fox decided not to bring back Mae, but still bring back Jeff Goldblum, Judd Hirsch, Brent Spiner, Vivica Fox and even Bill Pullman himself for Independence Day 2. Nobody knows, but Mae isn't the only child star from the original film who won't be reprising their roles as their adult selves; Ross Bagely, who portrayed Will Smith's character's son was also neglected a spot in the sequel's cast and instead Fox hired Jessie Usher to carry on the role of Dylan Dubrow.
Unfortunately, Mae has taken the Studio's decision a little too close to heart and has responded on social media to emphasize her displeasure:
@DrewAtHitFix @HitFix ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
— alabama whitman (@maebirdwing) April 28, 2015
Ross Bagely however, and other original castmates have not taken their exclusion from Independence Day 2 as personally.
Independence Day: Resurgence June 24th, 2016
More about Independence Day: Resurgence (movie)
After Independence Day redefined the event movie genre, the next epic chapter delivers global catastrophe on an unimaginable scale. Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defense program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens’ advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring our world back from the brink of extinction.
Directed by Roland Emmerich, Independence Day: Resurgence's release date is June 24th, 2016.
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