We finally know what happened to Will Smith’s character in Independence Day: Resurgence

Yesterday, Independence Day: Resurgence received its first trailer, and noticably missing Will Smith's character, Colonel Steven Hiller.

Spoiler Warning Ahead

For many, this didn't come as much of a surprise. We've known for a while now that Will Smith wouldn't be returning in Independence Day: Resurgence, and now we finally know why. Well, at least the reason in terms of story canon.

Launching alongside the release of the first trailer was a "viral" site featuring an interactive timeline dating major events since the aliens first attacked on July 2, 1996. The timeline chronicles the rebuilding of major cities, the formation of the Earth Space Defense program, and the usage of alien technology in our weapons.

Skipping ahead to 2007, there's a headline "World Mourns Col Hiller." The copy reads:

"While test piloting the ESD's first alien hybrid fighter, an unknown malfunction causes the untimely death of Col. Hiller. Hiller's valor in the War of 96 made him a beloved global icon whose selfless assault against the alien mothership lead directly to the enemy's defeat. He is survived by his wife Jasmine and son Dylan."

It sucks that he died, but I guess it works to excuse Will Smith's absence from the film. On the bright side, much of the original film's cast is returning including Vivica A. Fox (Jasmine), Bill Pullman (President Whitemore), and Jeff Goldblum (David Levinson). Jessie Usher will play Hiller's son, Dylan, who I'm pretty sure we get a glimpse of flying a ship in the trailer.