People are outraged over a lead actress casting swap in 'Independence Day 2'

On Monday, news broke that Maika Monroe - an on-the-rise actress from recent independent movie hits like "It Follows" and "The Guest" - had been cast to play the president's daughter in the upcoming sequel to "Independence Day."

Larry Busacca/Getty ImagesThe casting was initially a minor item highlighting how Monroe is climbing up the Hollywood ranks, but the problem for many is the news meant that the actress who initially played the role in the original 1996 film was now getting the boot.

Young actress Mae Whitman played the president's daughter in the first "Independence Day."

The role launched Whitman's successful acting career, which has included starring roles in hit TV series "Parenthood" and most recently the successful teen comedy, "The Duff," which stands for "Designated Ugly Fat Friend."

Fans of Whitman, now 26, quickly came to her defense after the casting news. People on social media have been calling out Fox, the studio behind the "Independence Day" sequel, for allegedly recasting the role with a more "conventionally hot" actress to play opposite Liam Hemsworth, who will reportedly be the love interest of Monroe's character.

Even actress Anna Kendrick took to Twitter to voice her displeasure with the recasting:

Whitman has been quiet about the decision, though she did reply to Kendrick with this:

HitFix's Drew McWeeny reports that Whitman didn't even make the shortlist of actors for the role and he thinks the reason is obvious:

But over at ScreenCrush, Britt Hayes called out her male colleagues who think they've rushed to judgement that the decision by Fox was solely based on looks.

Monroe has also been mum about the controversy. Only tweeting this following the casting news.

Fox has not yet given a reason for why Whitman wasn't considered for the sequel.

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