James Gunn’s Suicide Squad Destroyed Will Smith’s $817M Movie Sequel at Box Office
One of the pivotal moments in the illustrious career of the renowned actor, Will Smith, revolved around a challenging decision that would significantly impact the trajectory of two major blockbuster films: Independence Day: Resurgence and Suicide Squad, the latter directed by James Gunn.
At that crucial juncture, Smith was at a crossroads, torn between these two lucrative cinematic endeavors. His ultimate chose to join the cast of the DC Comics adaptation, Suicide Squad, which proved to be a game-changing move.
However, it meant turning down a role in the long-anticipated sequel to Independence Day, a film that held immense potential for success. In retrospect, it became evident that Smith’s absence from Independence Day: Resurgence significantly impacted its performance at the box office. Without the charismatic presence of Will Smith, the sequel struggled to capture the magic of the original film.
Will Smith’s Epic Choice Between Independence Day 2 and Suicide Squad
Independence Day: Resurgence was not just another movie sequel; it was hailed as an instant classic and a landmark in the science fiction disaster film subgenre. A follow-up to the 1996 blockbuster hit Independence Day, this film garnered a massive fan base and a legacy that was deeply etched in the annals of cinematic history. Central to the original film’s success was Will Smith‘s iconic portrayal of Captain Steven Hiller, an Air Force pilot.
When it came time for the sequel, Will Smith, a box office heavyweight, faced a pivotal choice: return as Captain Hiller in Independence Day: Resurgence or dive into the DC Universe with Suicide Squad. Both promised blockbuster potential, but the conflict arose because both films were set to begin shooting within a week of each other in April 2015.
This created an insurmountable scheduling conflict for Smith, forcing him to make a meaningful choice. Ultimately, he opted to join the eclectic cast of Suicide Squad, where he would inhabit the character of Floyd Lawton, also known as Deadshot. Smith told BBC Radio 1Xtra,
“I had a couple of films lined up, I had ‘Concussion’ and ‘Suicide Squad,’ and so it was a decision, timing-wise, between ‘Independence Day’ and ‘Suicide Squad.'”
Smith’s reasoning for choosing Suicide Squad over Independence Day: Resurgence was explained as timing and opportunity. However, in contrast, Independence Day director Roland Emmerich stated that Smith’s unavailability was due to financial constraints.
He asserted that Will Smith’s return would have been financially prohibitive, with rumors swirling that the actor had demanded a staggering $50 million to reprise his role in the action-packed sequel.
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Will Smith Altered The Fate of Independence Day 2 at the Box Office
Independence Day 2 sadly met its share of disappointment at the box office, and the conspicuous absence of Will Smith was a key factor contributing to its lackluster performance. The film’s narrative had to undergo significant alterations after Smith decided not to reprise his role. Initially, the story revolved around a father and son’s poignant relationship, promising a heartfelt dimension to the sci-fi epic.
The void left by his absence was keenly felt, as he had been the charismatic hero who spearheaded the defense against the alien invasion in the 1996 classic. Vivica A Fox, who played Dr. Jasmine Dubrow-Hiller in Independence Day: Resurgence told AV Club,
“I really feel we missed out by not recasting or by not bringing Will Smith back. We had most of the original cast. But I think one true link that was missing to the success of Independence Day 2 was that we missed that Will Smith was not there.”
Suicide Squad boasted a hefty $175 million production budget, while Independence Day: Resurgence had a respectable $165 million budget. However, the sequel fell far short of its predecessor’s $817 million box office success, managing just around $390 million. The sequel struggled to capture the magic of the first film and found itself cast in the shadow of its predecessor.
