Will Smith won’t be in Independence Day 2 because he’s “too expensive”. The After Earth actor was one of the lead stars in the 1996 original movie — which grossed a massive $817 million worldwide — but he is unlikely to reprise his role in the follow-up film, which is due for release in 2015. Director Roland Emmerich told the New York Daily News: “Will Smith cannot come back because he’s too expensive.”

As well as being too pricey for the flick’s budget, Emmerich insists the A-list star is too big a name for his movie, in which he plans to cast mostly unknown actors. He explained: “But he’d also be too much of a marquee name. It would be too much. We have like maybe half of the people that you would know from the first film [in the script] and the other half people who are new.”

Since finding fame through his TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and movies such as the alien invasion blockbuster, Smith has become one of Hollywood’s elite stars and regularly commands $20 million for movie roles. Although Emmerich has ruled out Smith for a role in the movie, it’s thought that his Independence Day co-stars Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum may appear in the sequel.

Are you sure about that divorce? Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus spotted on lunch outing

She filed for divorce from her husband of 19 years 10 days earlier. But it was hard to believe Tish Cyrus and Billy Ray had split up when they were spotted together last Sunday.

Miley Cyrus’s mother tenderly nuzzled her face into the country star’s shoulder as they left a restaurant together.

Everything seemed rosy between the couple as they stepped out of Little Tony’s in North Hollywood arm in arm. Though not wearing their wedding rings, the pair’s affection towards one another will no doubt spark rumours that they have reconciled. They had taken daughter Noah and a friend for lunch at the Italian eatery and departed with a box of pizza.

Later on Tish was seen visiting Miley, who was dressed in a basketball shirt, backwards cap, tiny shorts and heels, at a recording studio. Tish had filed for divorce from Billy Ray on June 13, citing ‘irreconcilable differences’. Three years ago Billy Ray filed for divorce, though he later dropped it in an attempt to iron out their problems.

Miley Cyrus praises Disney Channel for plans to introduce lesbian couple to TV show

She has long been an advocate of gay rights. And Miley Cyrus took to her Twitter page on Sunday to praise her former employers The Disney Channel, after hearing they planned to introduce a samesex couple to one of their TV shows.

‘Is this true?!?!?!’ she wrote. ‘I commend Disney for making this step into the light of this generation. They control…so much of what kids think! Life isn’t bright sets & wardrobe & kids becoming superstars! This is INSPIRING.’

Producers of Disney sitcom Good Luck Charlie confirmed they are set to introduce a character with two lesbian mothers to the show. “This particular storyline was developed under the consultancy of child development experts and community advisers,” they told TV Guide in a statement.