LeBron James is ready to step into Michael Jordan’s (enormous) shoes to star in the Space Jam sequel. Can he pull it off? Let’s break it down
In 1996, Jordan stepped off the court and onto the big screen, playing himself opposite Bugs Bunny in the iconic film, Space Jam. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film “pulled in about $250 million worldwide and is still the highest-grossing basketball movie of all time.” If you haven’t seen it, you can only imagine how truly incredible, innovative, and original this film was and continues to be:
The idea of a sequel has been talked about for years, and who better to join the Tune Squad than LeBron James? A basketball legend with decent acting and comedic chops as seen on Saturday Night Live and the film Trainwreck, James even has his own production company in Los Angeles. This child from Vine certainly feels some sort of way about Bron:
James acting skills aren’t the only reason the sequel will succeed. It’s an insanely lucrative business move to bring on LeBron, an athlete with enough endorsements, loyal fans, and celebrity to bring this movie to the next level. Likewise, it’s a smart play on James’s part, as this will (if done right) increase his credibility in the entertainment industry, introduce him to a wider audience of potential skeptics (see: Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors fans), and boost his brand image as an athlete who can make fun of himself and have a good spirit about his talents. The fact that people, myself included, still wear Tune Squad jerseys is a testament to the power of Space Jam — a film that would’ve failed without the right actor/player for the job. LeBron James is just the man to further the Space Jam brand.
Adding to the enormous potential this sequel has is the addition of Ryan Coogler, the director of the acclaimed Marvel hit Black Panther, as producer. In a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, James said:
The Space Jam collaboration is so much more than just me and 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.
I have a feeling this Space Jam sequel will be a hit, especially with the advancement of animation and film technology offering for some dope visuals. Love the original? Hate LeBron? Let me know what you’re thinking!
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