Space Jam 2is finally, officially happening.LeBron Jameshas now been confirmed to star in the sequel to the 1996 basketball movie that paired NBA legend Michael Jordan with Bugs Bunny and the rest of theLooney Tunes. The biggest and most important wrinkle is thatBlack Pantherdirector Ryan Coogler has boarded the project. Coogler is a huge get for the long-gestating sequel as he is one of the most sought-after talents in the industry, given his recent track record.
According to a new report,Ryan Cooglerr will produceSpace Jam 2alongside LeBron James, who has long been rumored to be the star who will continue the franchise. Coogler will not be directing, however. Terence Nance, creator of HBO’sRandom Acts of Flynessand director ofThe Oversimplification of Her Beauty, has been tapped to helm the project. We recently reported that Nance was in consideration, but it appears as though he’s locked down the gig. James had this to say in a statement.
“The Space Jam collaboration is so much more than just me and the Looney Tunes getting together and doing this movie. 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. And I think Ryan did that for a lot of people.”
Fast and Furiousfranchise director Justin Lin has been attached toSpace Jam 2for quite some time, but it never quite got going with him at the wheel. Given Ryan Coogler’s name being attached now, followingBlack Panther’s record-breaking $1.3 billion take at the box office, which came after the very successfulCreed, it’s likely things are going to progress much more rapidly. For his part, LeBron James praised Coogler’s vision on Marvel’s solo superhero effort.
“I loved his vision [for Black Panther]. So for Ryan to be able to bring that to kids, it’s amazing.”
This project, packaged in this way, comes with some interesting, grander implications. There is a running debate as to who is the greatest of all time in the game of basketball; Michael Jordan, who has six NBA championships to his name, or LeBron James, who still has years left to add to his growing legacy. Putting him at the center ofSpace Jam 2is certainly symbolic in that way. To what degree that helps settle the debate? We’ll have to wait and see.
LeBron James has also become a rising talent in Hollywood, producing projects like aHouse Partyremake and developing shows for NBC and The CW. He’s also had starring roles in movies likeTrainwreck. The original Space Jam grossed $230 million worldwide and remains the highest-grossing basketball movie ever made.Space Jam 2does not currently have a release date, but it’s expected to shoot during the 2019 NBA offseason. We’ll be sure to keep you posted as new details are made available. This was first reported byThe Hollywood Reporter.
