In the subsequent five years Earth rebuilds from the rubble and backengineers the alien technology. This new technology picks up signals coming from deep space - a larger strike force is heading towards Earth, intent upon revenge. As early in development as it is now, only two characters would return in the sequel. For five years the Earth prepares a strike force to repulse the second wave. When the moment arrives, the new alien vessel that enters the solar system is even more massive and powerful than the last one - and they're prepared.
Earth forces lose their battle in space.
The giant ship arrives near Earth and then begins dispatching millions of troops across the world - forcing a land battle. That's all supposed to be in the first hour of screen time. Plans are for Dean Devlin to begin writing the sequel after his stint on Godzilla is complete. Roland Emmerich should also return as a collaborator. The word is this is to be a Summer 1999 release, either in direct competition of the new Star Wars feature or as a one-two punch for Fox at theaters, depending upon if the studio gets the distribution rights to Lucas' prequels.