Will Smith did not return for the sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence, primarily due to salary disagreements with the film's production team during the development phase.
The Reason Behind His Absence
During the planning stages for Independence Day: Resurgence, Will Smith, who famously portrayed the heroic ace pilot Steve Hiller in the original 1996 blockbuster, entered into negotiations regarding his compensation. Ultimately, he and the production were unable to reach an agreement on his salary.
This financial impasse led to the decision that Smith would not reprise his pivotal role in the sequel. To account for his absence in the narrative, his character, Captain Steven Hiller, was written out of the story. Between the events of the first film and Independence Day: Resurgence, Steve Hiller was killed off.
Impact on the Sequel
While Smith's character was no longer part of the story, other original cast members did return. For example, Vivica A. Fox reprised her role as Jasmine Hiller, Steve Hiller's wife from the first film. The absence of Will Smith, a central figure and audience favorite from the original, was a notable point of discussion and speculation among fans and critics leading up to the sequel's release.