Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) expands the franchise with several "features," ranging from expanded lore in other media to significant plot shifts in the sequel itself. Key Lore and Plot Features
The movie explores the long-term psychic trauma of those who had their minds "hijacked" by aliens in the first film, such as President Whitmore and Dr. Brakish Okun. Expanded Media and Features
A significant backstory detail mentioned in the film is a 10-year ground war in sub-Saharan Africa, where local warlords defeated a landed alien "city destroyer" in hand-to-hand combat. Independence Day: Resurgence
An alternate "Extended Version" of the film exists, though it is only approximately seven minutes longer than the theatrical release. Production Highlights What the hell happened with Independence Day: Resurgence?
A free mobile strategy game titled Independence Day: Resurgence - Battle Heroes was released by Zen Studios, allowing players to command fleets in the IDR universe. Expanded Media and Features A significant backstory detail
The film introduces a non-biological alien intelligence (the Sphere) that offers humanity advanced technology to join an interstellar resistance against the Harvesters, setting the stage for a potential (though unmade) third film.
This prequel novel bridges the 20-year gap between the films, detailing the ascent of David Levinson to the head of the ESD and the accidental death of Steve Hiller (Will Smith's character) during a test flight of alien-hybrid technology. A free mobile strategy game titled Independence Day:
A central feature of the sequel is the establishment of the ESD, an international military defense and research organization formed by the United Nations to reverse-engineer alien technology and protect Earth from future invasions.