It feels like we've been talking about SPACE JAM 2 for years, but, believe it or not, production on the long-delayed live-action/animated hybrid is now underway. LeBron James will be taking the lead in the follow-up to the 1996 movie which starred Michael Jordan, and Deadline has now announced that Don Cheadle (AVENGERS: ENDGAME) will be joining him.
At the moment, the nature of Don Cheadle's role in the SPACE JAM sequel is being kept under wraps, but he'll be joining Sonequa Martin-Green (Star Trek: Discovery), who will reportedly be playing LeBron James' wife. Terence Nance (Random Acts of Flyness) is directing SPACE JAM 2 with Ryan Coogler (BLACK PANTHER) onboard to produce. "The Space Jam collaboration is so much more than just me and the Looney Tunes getting together and doing this movie," said James last September. "It's so much bigger. I'd just love for kids to understand how empowered they can feel and how empowered they can be if they don't just give up on their dreams." Although I have fond memories of the original (which could change as I haven't watched it since I was a kid), I'm not overly optimistic about the idea of a sequel, but if it gets the Looney Tunes back on the big-screen, let's give it a shot.
One person who also isn't all that optimistic about the sequel's chances is original SPACE JAM director Joe Pytka, who let his feelings be known several years ago.
Don't do it. It's doomed. Michael Jordan was the biggest star on the planet. When we did Space Jam, there was a perfect storm of players and ex-players available — Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing. They all had a persona that complemented the film. There are none around like that now.
SPACE JAM 2 will hit theaters on July 16, 2021.
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