Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Independent Day 2: Resurgence trailer features cameo of sorts from Tony Blair

At least the aliens' weapons of mass destruction were a little more overt

Christopher Hooton
Tuesday 15 December 2015 05:18 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

How might Tony Blair have handled an alien threat?

That’s what we’re forced to question this morning, after the former Prime Minister popped up in a viral video promoting the new Independence Day sequel Resurgence.

The film’s War Of 1996 site reflects on the intergalactic conflict depicted in the first film, and in the clip sees fictional US president Whitmore (Bill Pullman) Photoshopped into a picture of Blair with former German chancellor Helmut Kohl, former Russian president Boris Yeltsin and former French president Jacques Chirac.

"In 1996, the world confronted extinction,” Jeff Goldblum’s scientist David Levinson narrates. “The age-old question - are we alone in the universe? - was finally answered with some horrible ramifications.

"Humanity fought back, and now almost two decades after the war of 1996, our solar system has been transformed.

"The hope is that we are stronger, and smarter, and safer. In honour of our recent history, we invite you to reflect on all we lost and how far we've come."

It suggests that in the Independence Day universe, the world’s leaders put on a united front in order to crush the alien invasion, though personally I trusted Will Smith to punch each and every monster in the face himself.

The video follows the first trailer for the sequel which was snuck in ahead of the Star Wars pandemonium yesterday, seeing Liam Hemsworth take over from Smith as the film’s hero.

Independence Day: Resurgence sees Goldblum, Pullman, Vivica A Fox and Brent Spiner all return, while Charlotte Gainsbourg and Jessie Usher join the cast.

It opens in US and UK cinemas on 24 June.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in