The upcoming "Independence Day" sequel is getting a dose of girl power in the White House: Actress Sela Ward has been tapped to play the president of the United States in "Independence Day 2."

Ward -- last seen on the big screen in "Gone Girl" -- will fill in for Bill Pullman, who played scene-stealing President Thomas Whitmore in the 1996 original flick. Pullman will return as the retired Whitmore for the follow-up, directed once again by Roland Emmerich.

In addition to Ward, fellow fresh faces joining the cast include "Hunger Games" star Liam Hemsworth (playing Whitmore's son-in-law), Jessie Usher (playing a grown-up version of Will Smith's stepson from the first flick), Charlotte Gainsbourg ("Nymphomaniac"), and Joey King ("Wish I Was Here"). Returnees from the original include Jeff Goldblum, Judd Hirsch, and Vivica A. Fox.

We can't wait to see Ward take her place in the Oval Office. Here's hoping she can deliver an equally-epic speech like Pullman's from the first flick -- and maybe take flight in a fighter jet of her own. We can dream, right?

"Independence Day 2" -- renamed from "ID Forever" -- is due in theaters in June 24, 2016.

[via: Deadline]

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