Last time we heard about the discussed sequels to 1996’s Independence Day, it was just whispers and not much was thought of the rumor at the time.

Now it looks like the movies are much more likely to happen than was once thought. So much so that it’s being reported that director Roland Emmerich and screenwriter Dean Devlin are finishing up work on scripts for Independence Day 2 and Independence Day 3, with hopes being that they will be completed by mid-December. The plan as it stands right now is for the movies to be filmed back-to-back, which is quickly becoming the preferred production method for two planned sequels.