Lebron James posted a video on Instagram that announced the title of Space Jam 2.
Fans have waited fourteen years, but after being stuck in development and going through a number of behind the scenes changes, it looks like the sequel to Space Jam is finally coming. Lebron James, who will be taking on the lead role that Michael Jordan had in the first film, has revealed the title for the long-awaited movie: Space Jam: A New Legacy.
James released a video on his Instagram account of himself wearing a baseball hat with the upcoming movie’s title and logo on it, Space Jam: A New Legacy. James captioned the video 2021, and it was later reposted by the official Space Jam: A New Legacy’s official Twitter account.
A New Legacy For Space Jam
Space Jam: A New Legacy will star Lebron James, Sonequa Martin-Green (The Walking Dead, Star Trek: Discovery), and Don Cheadle (Avengers: Endgame) alongside the Looney Tunes. It was revealed that Cheadle will be playing the villain in the upcoming sequel by his Black Monday co-star Paul Scheer during a podcast. Weather he will be an alien antagonist similar to Danny DeVito in the original or playing a human villain is still unclear.
Space Jam tells the story of when the Looney Tunes get captured by a group of aliens working for Mr. Swackhammer (voiced by Danny DeVito) who runs an amusement park planet. Swackhammer thinks forcing the Looney Tunes to be his next big attraction will save his failing park.
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However, Bugs Bunny and his friends, understandably not wanting to be enslaved on an alien planet, challenge the aliens to a game if the Looney Tunes win they gain their freedom. The aliens choose basketball and cheat by stealing the skills of NBA players, becoming the fearsome Monstars. The Tunes realizing they’re in trouble get Michael Jordan to come help them win their freedom. A number of other famous basketball players show up in the film as well including Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, and Charles Barkley.
Space Jam, which was released in 1996, is a wacky fun live action/animated film that combines sports, humor, and the classic Looney Tunes antics. Space Jam grossed over $230 million worldwide and Warner Bros. wanted to capitalize on this success. In 2014, it was announced by Warner Bros. that a sequel to the fan favorite film was in the works that would star Lebron James. Space Jam: A New Legacy will be James’ first starring role. He previously played a version of himself in the comedy Trainwreck which starred Bill Hader and Amy Schumer.Â
While we don’t know plot details for the sequel at this point the assumption is that James will be teaming up with the Looney Tunes as Jordan did before to help them in an epic, high stakes basketball game. James a self-professed fan of the original Space Jam will not only star in the sequel, but also serve as a producer along with Ryan Coogler (Black Panther).Â
Justin Lin (F9) originally signed on as director, but following many delays left the project. James’ Springhill Entertainment and Warner Bros. replace Lin with Terence Nance (An Oversimplification of Her Beauty). Nance left the film during production due to creative differences. He was replaced by Malcolm D. Lee (Girls Trip, The Best Man) in July 2019.
Filming for the sequel took place in the summer of 2019 during the NBA off-season around Los Angeles and wrapped in September 2019. Warner Bros. is set to release Space Jam: A New Legacy next summer on July 16, 2021.Â
Are you excited about the Space Jam sequel? What do you think of the title? How do you think Lebron James will do? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or on our social media.
