Meet The Star Of 'Independence Day 2'

Get ready to meet Will Smith's Independence Day successor. He won't be inheriting the entirety of the legacy, of course, but he's found his place on one small slice: Jessie Usher has been cast as the lead in Independence Day 2 . Previously best known as the star of Starz's Survivor's Remorse, now Usher will be taking on a major action film, nearly 20 years after Smith led the cast to the original Independence Day. If all goes as I'm assuming is the plan, Usher will round out his time in this role as a household name. So start remembering that face now — it'll come in handy in the coming months and years.

Independence Day 2 will be directed by Roland Emmerich, and has been scheduled for release on June 24, 2016. But let's get ahead of the game here — who is this kid, and what is he about?

As The Hollywood Reporter notes, "Smith's role in the first blockbuster helped establish him as a star, kicking his career up to the next level." Sequels are pretty hit or miss, but all signs point to Usher being an up-and-comer regardless. So here are some of the basics to know about the star of Independence Day 2:

He's the Star Of Starz' Survivor's Remorse

The series is produced by LeBron James and has been renewed for a second season. Zap2It describes it thusly:

[The series follows] Cam Calloway, a young man who, after a break-out year in the NBA, signs a massive professional basketball contract with Atlanta. The show follows Cam and his family as they navigate being suddenly thrust into the spotlight and a life of fame and fortune.

They also make note of his "charm, affability, and touch of impishness."

He Graduated From High School At 15 As The Salutatorian

Impressive! As he told Buzzfeed:

I was in alternative schooling and I was able to move at my own pace and take whatever classes that I wanted, whenever I wanted. The curriculum that I chose was at an extremely fast rate. I actually finished school in the fall and had to wait an entire four or five months just so I could actually graduate with my class. I just took college courses after that.

He Recently Turned 23

A young'un.

He Also Starred In Cartoon Network's Level Up

It started as a TV movie in 2011, and then ran as a series from 2012 to 2013.

He Was A Big Fan Of the Backstreet Boys

I mean, who wasn't? As he told Zap2It, "I'm not embarrassed by any of my music. I'll even own up to the old Backstreet Boys albums."

He Was In An Episode Of Hannah Montana Once

And he is credited only as "Guy."

Images: Getty Images