While we have known for over a year now that Will Smith would not reprise his role in the sequel to Independence Day, Independence Day: Resurgence; the untimely death for his character was a shock to the entire community.
In the ID4 universe, Cpt. Steven Hiller is killed when he testflights a hybrid F-22 Raptor combined with alien technology in ID4 Year 2007. By that time, he was promoted to Colonel and was revered as the world's savior.
As stated in a recent interview, Smith states "The trailer looks really cool. I’m going to be sitting around with tears in my eyes when that one comes out… It was terrible when I found out my character died".
We can agree on one that, that is we are all sad about the death of Will Smith's character. Maybe not in the fashion that everybody would've liked to see Smith's character die, the deed is done.
