Sequel Spotlight: Latest Independence Day 2 and TMNT 2 Additions

Paramount Pictures

If you love William Fichtner, this post’s for you. Here’s the latest news on two upcoming sequels, both of which co-star the veteran character actor.

Firstly, according to Deadline, Fichtner is moving into the big leagues for a major role in the Independence Day franchise. This role is apparently no character-actor-type supporting part. He’ll play a general in next year’s follow-up, tentatively just listed as Independence Day Sequel, which involves a 20th anniversary rematch between Earth and the aliens who were thwarted back in the 1996 original.

Reportedly, Fichtner’s character may not be a totally significant lead at first, but the part will have increased importance in two subsequent sequels. So, I guess Independence Day 3 is still happening, and now so is Independence Day 4. Fichtner will join a bunch of returning ID4 cast members, an upsetting replacement actress and fellow newcomers Liam Hemsworth, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Sela Ward.

Fichtner is also returning for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2, reprising his role as evil CEO Eric Sacks. But that’s not news. The latest on this sequel is that the movie has found its Rocksteady to pair with its previously announced Bebop, Gary Anthony Williams. WWE star Sheamus (aka Stephen Farrelly) will play the punk who gets turned into a mutant rhinoceros. Confirmation came in the form of the below tweet. Also check out spy photos of the duo on set here.

Good night with good people in #NYC @GaryAWilliams @brian_tee @mirellytaylor http://pic.twitter.com/4MbwFYXltX

— Sheamus (@WWESheamus) May 28, 2015

Bebop and Rocksteady are both goons of the main villain, Shredder (Brian Tee, taking over from Tohoru Masamune), and rumor has it they’ll also be joined by alien villain Krang this time around. Also new to the cast for the sequel is Brittany Ishibashi, who Deadline reported is playing Shredder’s daughter and Foot Clan leader Karai.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 hits theaters on June 3, 2016.

Independence Day 2 arrives a few weeks later on June 24, 2016.

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