Independence Day Resurgence: The Next Super Hit?

For movie lovers in their 40s and 50s, the nostalgic allure of Star Wars is difficult to overestimate, and it was a force strong enough to make Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens the hands-down film event of the year. For movie lovers 20 years younger, Roland Emmerich's 1996 explosion-fest, Independence Day, likely holds the same kind of appeal, and if the reaction to this week's release of a trailer for next year's sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence, is any indication, this new film could become the film event of 2016.

The trailer, which triggered widespread excitement on social media, provides some clues about the sequel's plot. Apparently, Earth's humanity has harnessed the power of technology taken from the first film's vanquished alien invaders, and that technology might be the only hope that the humans have against a new wave of invaders.

Director Emmerich will return for the sequel, as will cast members Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Vivica A. Fox and Judd Hirsch. Sela Ward will pay the President of the United States this time around. The original film's star, Will Smith, will not be back -- perhaps Smith is reluctant to return to sci-fi after 2013's disastrous After Earth -- and the role of hero/savior of Earth will fall this time to Liam Hemsworth.

Oh, and, yes, there will also be many new explosions to cheer about.