Como se dice ‘Aliens’?The invasion is ready...

Como se dice ‘Aliens’?

The invasion is ready to continue. No, the “Independence Day” sequel isn’t done already. (But you can bet it’s being planned.) We’re talking about the foreign release of “ID4,” starring Will Smith among others, which begins Thursday in Argentina. Now that it’s broken one “Jurassic Park” record, for fastest arrival at the $100-million mark, “ID4” is about to take the first step toward topping the $559 million grossed in foreign markets by “Jurassic.” The blockbuster is landing in foreign markets more quickly than most films because of unbridled notoriety and public awareness. 20th Century Fox is taking full advantage of that hype by altering its usual release schedule in 43 territories, glomming onto prime opportunities--personal and school vacations and historically strong box-office periods in each critical territory. In fact, Fox has actually flipped its usual schedule of releasing the picture in Europe and Japan first and Latin America last because of that strategy. After Argentina, which this year has already survived the invasion of Madonna for the filming of “Evita,” the “ID4” schedule: Mexico, July 25; Brazil and the United Kingdom, Aug. 9; Australia, Aug. 29; Spain, Sept. 13; Germany, Sept. 19; Italy, Sept. 27; France, Oct. 2; and Japan, Dec. 7. Asked how the title will be translated, Scott Neesom, Fox’s senior vice president of international marketing, said, “Pretty simply. It will literally be ‘Independence Day’ in the local translation, because most countries have a day where they celebrate their independence one way or another.” Wow. Can’t get anything past those marketing types.

We’ll Watch the Highlights Later in the Day

We assume that 5:35 Thursday morning is a little too early for Tracey Ullman to be in character, so expect the talented comedic actress to just be her charming self when she and Academy of Television Arts & Sciences President Richard Frank announce the nominees for this year’s nighttime Emmy Awards. Also unveiled will be candidates for the President’s Award, a newly created honor recognizing socially responsible programming. The award represents an effort to highlight television’s positive contributions in the face of campaign-year political criticism. A record number of submissions was received in the category, suggesting some confusion regarding what will qualify. Other questions involve whether top-rated “ER” can repeat as the most nominated program, having amassed 23 Emmy bids last year before Steven Bochco’s “NYPD Blue” collared the statuette for best drama. Another Bochco-produced series, “Murder One,” could also use the ammunition of Emmy recognition--and perhaps a bazooka--if the show hopes to make a dent opposite “Seinfeld” in its new Thursday slot. The awards will be televised Sept. 8.

Shaq, Babe, You’re Beautiful, Let’s Do Lunch

When the Los Angeles Lakers made their $95.5-million seven-year offer to Shaquille O’Neal last week, they should’ve included an offer to build their new arena near the movie studio of his choice. His newest film, Disney’s “Kazaam,” in which O’Neal plays a “rapping genie with attitude,” opens Wednesday. Whether the movie catches on or not, the free agent center’s show-biz career seems firmly on track. According to Beth Schueler of Santa Monica-based Management Plus Enterprises, O’Neal has received a “huge amount” of scripts since his 1994 feature film debut in “Blue Chips.” In mid-August he starts shooting Warner Bros.’ “Steel,” based on the D.C. Comics character. His part as a superhero skilled in metallurgy must be completed by the first week of October, when NBA training camps open. Despite the Lakers’ considerable offer and the lure of being a big fish in a big pond, Schueler was coy about what move he’ll make. “Shaquille is not necessarily leaving Orlando,” she said. “These talks just give him an option if his salary doesn’t keep pace. Though he’s one of the best players in the league, he’s not one of the highest paid.” Hey, he can always get some on the back end.

They’d Better Hope the Locals Like It

Philadelphia is a tough town. It was once remarked that when none of the city’s professional sports teams is in town, citizens stand on street corners and boo each other. Still, a trio of L.A.-based artists is getting a kindlier reception in the City of Brotherly Love than they did in San Francisco a few years back, when officials knocked down their $500,000 proposal for a word sculpture at the Moscone Convention Center that would wryly declare, “This . . . is a nice . . . neighborhood.” Across the street from Philadelphia’s City Hall, Daniel J. Martinez, Renee Petropoulos and Roger F. White have erected a handsome new neighbor for Claes Oldenburg’s famous sculpture of a giant clothespin. Taking a cue from that household colossus, they’ve scattered several dozen colorful, human-scaled game pieces--huge checkers, big dominoes and immense Monopoly, chess and Parcheesi pieces--around the otherwise bleak Thomas Paine Plaza at the Municipal Services Building. Titled “Your Move,” the sculpture is a witty Pop rejoinder to the gamesmanship required in civic bureaucracy, a reminder of citizen action for participatory government and a nod to the role of chance in both. It’s also a nice place to sit down. Forgoing brickbats, Phillie Mayor Edward G. Rendell officiates at a dedication ceremony on Tuesday.--Compiled by Times staff writers and contributors

Morning Report will continue Tuesday through Saturday.