FILMS
2:49 PM PDT 7/4/2020
by
Hilary lewis
The “Independence Day” actor paid tribute to his memorable role as president in the 1996 sci-fi film when he celebrated July 4 by expressing support for the face covers.
Bill Pullman is the latest star to urge people to wear face masks, as the number of recently reported cases of the new coronavirus continues to rise in several states.
The actor filmed a public service announcement for the Alamo Drafthouse theater chain in which he urges people to wear what he calls a “mask of freedom” while celebrating July 4.
Pullman paid tribute to his role as fictional President Thomas J. Whitmore in the 1996 science fiction film Independence Day noting that while “he may not be its president right now … July 4 is still my favorite party and always will be.”
Pullman said he would be celebrating Independence Day by putting on a face covering when going to public places and explaining that if others did the same, they would be closer to being free to return to bars, restaurants, schools and movie theaters.
Amid an increasing number of new cases of coronavirus, some states have closed bars and cracked down on restaurant meals in an effort to cut down on the number of new infections, and upcoming films have delayed their release dates, since the main cinema chains have delayed their reopening until the end of July.
Public officials have also encouraged the use of face masks, with some states experiencing spikes in new coronavirus cases that recently required people to wear face covers in public. Still, whether or not to wear a mask has become a hot topic. In recent days, stars like Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling were among those who flocked to social media to encourage their followers to wear face masks.
Alamo Drafthouse has said that when its theaters reopen, it will require customers to wear masks at all times except when they eat and drink, and will provide those without masks one for free. Additionally, customers will have their temperature checked and staff will pay special attention to anyone who appears ill, possibly asking them to leave, with their tickets and food reimbursed. The Texas-based theater chain, which operates 41 locations, said it would begin reopening sometime this month, but that not all theaters would reopen at once.
This is at least the second time in recent months that Pullman has publicly referenced his Independence Day paper. In May, when Trump tweeted a heavily altered clip from the film in which his face overlaps Whitmore’s body as the Pullman character delivers the memorable speech “Today we celebrate our Independence Day,” Pullman said. Hollywood reporter“My voice doesn’t belong to anyone but me, and I’m not running for president this year.”
Check out Pullman’s full PSA below.
