Space Jam 2 has run into some roadblocks with finding players to appear in the film (Klay Thompson tore his ACL after signing on). The 1996 original faced its own share of setbacks as well.
Michael Jordan joined the Toon Squad to defeat the MonStars and return their stolen athletic ability back to NBA stars Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Larry Johnson, Shawn Bradley, Patrick Ewing, and Muggsy Bogues. Despite this host of talent, the absence of Jordan's on-court sidekick, Scottie Pippen, was very noticeable. Pippen gave a simple reason to TMZ for the lack of his presence: He was hurt.
"[I] was injured," Scottie said. "Recovering from off-season injuries, I wasn't able to participate."
Scottie then went on to say that despite the injury, he wouldn't replace Thompson with younger stars like Zion Williamson. "They haven't reached that pinnacle yet," Pippen explained. "They just hyping us now."
Some of the original stars—mainly Charles Barkley—have been critical of Space Jam 2. On several occasions, Barkley has questioned the necessity of the film and how the sequel will stack up to the "classic." Although he didn't appear in the first Space Jam, Pippen explains that there is no pressure for Space Jam 2 to outdo its predecessor.
"Nah, I don't think it has anything to live up to," Scottie said when asked if he thinks the movie needs to be better than Space Jam. "It just has to be a great piece. I think just reliving it and it would be great to see it put back together for the new generation."
