Lars von Trier regular Charlotte Gainsbourg is make the leap into Hollywood action territory after being cast in upcoming science-fiction sequel Independence Day 2.
Gainsbourg, a two-time César-winner who has appeared in Von Trier’s films Antichrist, Melancholia and Nymphomaniac, will play an unspecified role in the belated follow-up. Roland Emmerich’s film will continue the story presented in July 1996, when Will Smith’s battling US marine corps pilot took on an extra-terrestrial threat to humanity. Smith is not back for the sequel, though original cast-member Jeff Goldblum will join new arrivals Liam Hemsworth and Jessie Usher on set.
Born in London and raised in Paris, the bilingual Gainsbourg is the daughter of celebrated French singer Serge Gainsbourg and English actor and singer Jane Birkin.
Independence Day 2 is due to hit cinemas on 24 June 2016, roughly two decades after the release of the first film, which made more than $800m worldwide and ushered in Smith’s 18-year reign as box-office top dog. James A Woods and Nicolas Wright have written the screenplay.
Gainsbourg’s debut in Hollywood tentpole territory mirrors that of Oscar-winning compatriot Juliette Binoche, of the celebrated Krzysztof Kieślowski drama Three Colours trilogy and Anthony Minghella’s The English Patient, who turned up in last year’s Godzilla. Binoche famously turned down roles in Jurassic Park and Mission: Impossible during the 1990s.
