What Happened To Will Smith's Hiller From Independence Day?

To make it simple...he's dead.

Even though a majority of the original cast is returning for the sequel, Will Smith didn't sign on to appear.  I don't know if it was he didn't feel it was a good idea for him, or if his schedule was too packed.  The latter seems the most reasonable to assume, since he's just finished Concussion, has been working on Suicide Squad, and is also set to appear in the new stand-alone Batman film that will feature Ben Affleck as the Dark Knight.  So how did he die?

There's a new website that was created to promote Independence Day: Resurgence called War of 1996.  It is designed to let people know what's been going on over the last twenty years since aliens first tried to take over the planet.  One of the "news articles" that is posted on the site states the following:

"World Mourns Col. Hiller 4/22/2007

While test piloting the ESD's first alien hybrid fighter, an unknown malfunction causes the untimely death of Col. Hiller.  Hiller's valor in the War of 96 made him a beloved global icon whose selfless assault against the alien mothership lead directly to the enemy's defeat.  He is survived by his wife Jasmine and son Dylan."

Vivica A. Fox is returning to reprise her role as Jasmine, but a new actor will be playing his son, Dylan.  In the original film, Dylan was played by Ross Bagely, but the older version of Dylan will now be played by Jessie Usher.  Other returning actors are Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Judd Hirsch, and Brent Spiner.  Liam Hemsworth, Joey King and Maika Monroe will also be joining the cast as new characters.

Independence Day: Resurgence is scheduled for release on June 24, 2016.