Why Did Independence Day 2 Spare This Landmark?

WhenIndependence Dayhit theaters in 1996, many action fans were drawn to this spectacle because of the shots in the trailers featuring the White House being blown to smithereens. When it was all said and done,Independence Daybecame the first movie ever to crack $500 million worldwide at thebox office, raising the bar for other blockbusters to come over the next two decades. This weekend, the long-awaited sequelIndependence Day: Resurgencehits theaters, and we know from the trailers that the destruction will continue. But today, we have a new report that reveals why a particular world landmark was left alone.

Back in May, 20th Century Fox released a series ofnew postersfeaturing the destruction of world landmarks such as Paris' Eiffel Tower, London’s Big Ben, New York City’s Statue of Liberty and Singapore’s Esplanade. Today we have a new report fromThe Huffington Post, which reveals that while Kuala Lampur’s Petronas towers and Dubai’s Burj Khalifa are also destroyed, Mumbai’s Gateway of India was also set for destruction. Although producers ultimately decided against it. Here’s what an unnamed source at 20th Century Fox had to say.

“Well, Indians are too touchy. Keeping the sensitivities of all the religious groups and other activists in mind, the makers were asked not to shoot in India or portray any prominent monuments being damaged.”

Fox Star Studios, an Indian subsidiary of 20th Century Fox, confirmed the news. It’s worth noting that, last year, India’s Central Board of Film Certification, a.k.a. the Censor Board, asked Sony Pictures to remove a scene fromPixelswhere the iconic Taj Mahal was destroyed. It isn’t known what other landmarks were left off the chopping block inIndependence Day 2.

Independence Daywas just the beginning. We always knew they were coming back. After that film redefined the event movie genre, the next epic chapter in theIndependence Dayuniverse delivers a global spectacle on an unimaginable scale. Using recoveredalien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defense program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens' advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring our world back from the brink of extinction.

Jeff Goldblum,Bill Pullman,Judd Hirsch,Vivica A. FoxandBrent Spinerall reprise their roles from the original 1996 blockbuster.Independence Day: Resurgencewill also introduce new characters played byLiam Hemsworth,Angelababy,Maika Monroe,Sela WardandJessie Usher. The movie will square off against STX Entertainment’sThe Free State of Joneswhen it hits theaters starting today. We’ll be sure to keep you posted on howIndpendence Day: Resurgencefares at the box office this weekend.