The epic alien invasion saga continues with Independence Day 3: New Beginning (2025), and the teaser trailer has just dropped, giving fans a first look at the return of Will Smith as Captain Steven Hiller in this explosive third installment. Directed by Roland Emmerich, who helmed the first two films, New Beginning promises to bring the iconic franchise back with even bigger action, advanced alien technology, and a new intergalactic threat that could spell doom for Earth.
The teaser opens with a peaceful scene of Earth’s cities flourishing, rebuilt and thriving after the catastrophic events of Independence Day: Resurgence (2016). However, this peace is short-lived. A haunting voiceover, delivered by Jeff Goldblum’s character David Levinson, warns, “We thought we had defeated them. We thought wrong.” As he speaks, the sky darkens, and ominous shadows cast over the rebuilt skyline, hinting at the return of the alien menace.
Cut to fast-paced, intense visuals of massive alien ships descending from the clouds, larger and more advanced than ever before. This time, they come equipped with devastating new technology that renders Earth’s defenses nearly powerless. The teaser highlights panic and chaos as cities around the globe are engulfed in destruction, with massive energy blasts ripping through the ground and spacecraft engaging in aerial dogfights.
Will Smith’s return as Captain Steven Hiller is the centerpiece of the trailer. The camera zooms in on Hiller, older but still carrying the swagger and determination that made him a hero. His first line, “Let’s do this one more time,” immediately sends a wave of nostalgia to longtime fans. We see him leading a new team of pilots into battle, flying sleek, upgraded fighter jets designed to counter the alien threat. Smith’s presence brings back the essence of the original Independence Day and signals that this war is far from over.
The trailer also reveals a new generation of characters, including Hiller’s son, Dylan Dubrow-Hiller (Jessie T. Usher), who now leads the Earth Space Defense alongside Liam Hemsworth’s character, Jake Morrison. As the new leaders face the overwhelming alien forces, it becomes clear that this invasion is far more dangerous and calculated than before.
The teaser hints at the alien’s true intentions, suggesting that their previous attacks were merely a prelude to something much bigger. There are flashes of space battles, new alien species, and mysterious technology that raises the stakes to intergalactic levels. Jeff Goldblum’s David Levinson is seen working alongside new scientific allies, desperately searching for a way to stop the aliens before Earth is completely annihilated.
With a budget of around $200 million, Independence Day 3: New Beginning promises top-tier visual effects, massive action sequences, and a story that expands the Independence Day universe beyond Earth. The teaser hints at the possibility of humanity taking the fight to the alien’s homeworld, suggesting that the final battle might not just be for Earth’s survival, but for the survival of all humanity.
Slated for release in summer 2025, Independence Day 3: New Beginning brings back the classic blockbuster formula, blending Will Smith’s star power with epic alien warfare, and is set to deliver another thrilling chapter in one of the most beloved sci-fi franchises of all time.