As for 'Independence Day,' we never intended to do any films in that series beyond the first one.

In this quote, Dean Devlin explains that the original intention behind the "Independence Day" film series was to make only the first movie, and that there were no plans to create any sequels. Devlin, the producer and writer of the original Independence Day (1996), reveals that the success of the film led to the unexpected decision to create further installments, despite the initial intent to stand alone. This statement highlights how the film's success and audience demand can sometimes lead to the expansion of a project that was originally conceived as a one-time endeavor.

The origin of this quote comes from Devlin’s experience working on the Independence Day franchise. The first movie, directed by Roland Emmerich, was a massive box office success and became an iconic piece of sci-fi cinema, known for its action-packed sequences and portrayal of an alien invasion on America's Independence Day. The film's success led to the release of Independence Day: Resurgence in 2016, which was created two decades after the original film, despite the initial lack of plans for a sequel.

Devlin’s statement reflects the common dynamics in the film industry, where commercial success often leads to decisions about sequels or reboots, even if the original creative vision did not foresee expanding the story. The unexpected success of Independence Day created a demand for a continuation of the storyline, even though the filmmakers had not initially planned for it to become a series.

Ultimately, Devlin’s comment sheds light on the evolving nature of filmmaking and how the entertainment industry sometimes responds to the public’s reception of a movie. The transition from a stand-alone film to a franchise is often shaped by financial and popular demand, rather than the original creative intentions of the filmmakers.