Liam Hemsworth and Jeff Goldblum have signed on for the Independence Day sequel.

Director Roland Emmerich has confirmed that Jeff will return to play chess-loving computer expert David Levinson in the follow-up, while Hunger Games star Liam’s role has not been disclosed.

Roland, who directed the first film, also revealed that Jessie Usher has joined the cast of the next instalment of the sci-fi action film.

Jessie Usher
(Matt Sayles/Invision)

The 23-year-old actor, who stars in TV series Survivor’s Remorse, is rumoured to play the son of Will Smith’s character Captain Steven Hiller, although Will isn’t expected to reprise his role.

“My producing partner Harald Kloser noticed Jessie in between sets of push-ups at the gym and gave him an audition. As they say, the rest is history!” the filmmaker wrote on Facebook.

Independence Day 2 is scheduled for release in July 2016, exactly 20 years from when the first film opened in cinemas in July 1996.

The original movie, which also starred Bill Pullman as the US President, followed a group of people – led by Captain Hiller – saving the world from an alien invasion.