The long-gestating sequel to 1996's Independence Day is getting a major overhaul from writer Carter Blanchard, who takes over screenwriting duties from James Vanderbilt, the man responsible for the first draft.

Original director Roland Emmerich is returning, though star Will Smith will not be back. Originally titled ID Forever - Part 1, the sequel was supposed to be a two-parter that would be shot back-to-back. That is no longer the plan, with Carter Blanchard's main goal being to find a way to write a story that doesn't need Smith's Captain Steven Hiller present.

Carter Blanchard is currently working on the screenplays for the Mark Millar adaptation Kindergarten Heroes at Fox and the long in production Spy Hunter video game adaptation set up at Warner Bros.