But, why? Several Independence Day actors are back for its sequel, Independence 2 — but not Mae Whitman. It was announced on Tuesday, April 28, that It Follows star Maika Monroe has taken over her role as former first daughter Patricia Whitmore.
Fans of the Parenthood alum, 26, are outraged by the news, especially since Whitman was just the female lead in the comedy The Duff. But according to The Hollywood Reporter, Whitman wasn’t even on the short list for the Roland Emmerich-directed film.
Now all grown up, Patricia is set to romance Liam Hemsworth’s character in the upcoming adventure sci-fi. No word on why exactly Whitman wasn’t chosen, but HitFix.com questioned if it was because Whitman wasn’t the conventional “hot” type. Whitman retweeted the article.
The It Follows star, meanwhile, joked to Us Weekly earlier this month about her new “Scream Queen” title. The talented kiteboarder — who made her Hollywood debut three years ago — has appeared in The Bling Ring, Labor Day, The Guest, At Any Price, and Echoes of War.
Whitman may be out, but several other Independence Day alums are heading back to fight off aliens when the movie hits theaters on June 24, 2016. This includes Jeff Goldblum, Judd Hirsch, and Bill Pullman — Patricia’s president dad.
Read some reactions below. Whitman’s 2010 Scott Pilgrim vs. the World costar Anna Kendrick even tweeted: “What the actual f—k? @maebirdwing is talented as hell, and JUST proved she can carry a film. Smh.”
We live in a world where talented, gorgeous Mae Whitman isn’t “hot” enough. Hollywood is gross.
— Carrie Raisler (@TVandDinners) April 29, 2015
idek. Mae Whitman’s a legit star on the rise now. She’s an iconic Arrested Development character ffs. @rolandemmerich I demand explanation!
— Lindsay Ellis (@thelindsayellis) April 29, 2015
Come on guys, it’s not like that child actress from Independence Day grew into a talented, bankable young–wait, that was Mae Whitman?! WTF?
— Zack Stentz (@MuseZack) April 29, 2015
I can’t say I’m surprised that Mae Whitman was “DUFF’d” out of reprising her own role in Independence Day 2. I AM a little upset though.
— J.N. Monk (@JN_Monk) April 29, 2015
.@20thcenturyfox Why did you recast Mae Whitman? Like really?
— Lilly (@klphoen) April 29, 2015
Actually, Mae Whitman for President would be great too.
— Alexander Huls (@alxhuls) April 29, 2015
Um, excuse me.. Why is Mae Whitman not playing herself? I may have to boycott Independence Day 2..
— Sarah McLaughlin (@sarah_mae_mc) April 29, 2015
Hmph. I’m gonna be upset about this Mae Whitman thing a good bit.
— Jake Wood (@BoStaffTurtle) April 29, 2015
Mae Whitman is awesome. Maika Monroe is awesome. Fox sucks.
— Jeremy Smith (@mrbeaks) April 29, 2015
Mae Whitman is too hot for Liam Hemsworth. And she deserves better movies than Independence Day. But she also deserves ID money.
— Erik Patterson (@erikpatterson) April 29, 2015
The Mae Whitman casting story is offensive as hell and absolutely not surprising.
— skywaterblue (@skywaterblue) April 29, 2015
Team Mae Whitman always
— Johnny (@johnnyb0731) April 29, 2015
