You probably know the scene by heart. Michael Jordan elevates from halfcourt, extends his arm, and drops in a game-winner—it should’ve been a 3!—to beat the Monstars.
It’s been 24 years since audiences first witnessed this magical moment in Space Jam. And we’ve been waiting years for more cinematic perfection, clinging to every detail released about the reboot.
Rumors of a sequel featuring LeBron James started floating around years ago, but we all know it’s actually happening. Space Jam: A New Legacy is set to be released July 16, 2021 (though we’ll see if COVID-19, which has crushed theaters, has anything to say about that). For a movie that isn't out yet, we actually know quite a bit about it, without knowing much at the same time. There's been casting annoucements, possible plot leaks, jersey reveals, and much more.
Let’s recap everything we’ve learned over the past few years about Space Jam 2.
People had speculated for a long time that James could lead a Space Jam reboot, and that noise really picked up when LeBron’s new production company, SpringHill Entertainment, announced a partnership with Warner Bros.
James said at the time: “Connecting with my fans and telling meaningful stories have always been my passion. In everything I’ve done, from Nike commercials to Uninterrupted and Survivor’s Remorse, it’s always about connecting with people of all ages and providing unique content they can all enjoy...And I’ve always loved movies, which makes Warner Bros. the ultimate partner to help us continue to push the envelope. I can’t wait to see what we come up with.”
One fan asked the question on everyone’s mind: Sooo...Space Jam 2? LeBron’s response pretty much sealed the deal.
@KingJRob21 Maybe.......Guess we'll just have to wait and see. #LooneyToonsRock
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 28, 2015
SpringHill got fans stirring with a social media teaser that showed the lockers of Bugs Bunny, LeBron, Terence Nance (then the director), and producer Ryan Coogler.
🏀 🥕 🎬 pic.twitter.com/Ay6wRaB915
— The SpringHill Co (@TheSpringHillCo) September 19, 2018
The buzz again picked up in February 2019—they’ve been smart about feeding us little morsels every now and then—when LeBron confirmed they were set to begin filming that summer.
LeBron got the kids in Charlotte excited about Space Jam 2, which starts filming this summer pic.twitter.com/qqJwCNy1b8
— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) February 16, 2019
On the heels of LBJ’s disclosure, SpringHill teased the film again on Twitter.
July 16, 2021 🎥🏀🥕 #SaveTheDate pic.twitter.com/qV1Tnxuksd
— The SpringHill Co (@TheSpringHillCo) February 22, 2019
Don’t expect to see Steph Curry in A New Legacy. Curry announced he couldn’t take part in the film due to scheduling conflicts.
“I know LeBron and Ryan Coogler are going to be doing amazing things. It's going to be awesome,” Curry said. “Part of it was in terms of things that I had going on. It was just the timing, to be honest. Not being able to commit. And I know Ryan really well. We had a lot of conversations about it.”
Curry is tight with Coogler, who’s a diehard Warriors fan. It didn’t work out with Curry and he wasn’t the only star that reportedly will not end up in the film. Sneaker contracts got in the way of other stars (such as James Harden) appearing in the film. Likewise, Giannis Antetokounmpo chose not to participate.
So, some of the biggest names in the league won’t be in Space Jam 2. Nonetheless, there will be plenty of cameos from other stars, including Damian Lillard, Klay Thompson, and Anthony Davis.
Nance split from the film following “creative differences” with Warner Bros. and SpringHill. The split was amicable.
They quickly lined up a hot name in Hollywood—Malcolm D. Lee—as Nance’s replacement. Lee is known for box-office comedic hits, including Girls Trip (2017) and Night School (2018).
Filming took place during the summer of 2019, and it wrapped on a high note: with LeBron delivering an emotional speech to the cast and crew. The audio surfaced online (through TMZ) in August 2020.
“I’m gonna be honest completely with you guys, when I found out about the project, I was like, it’s Space Jam!” LeBron said. “It’s a movie that I grew up watching. People in the movie that I idolize. I was like absolutely, I gotta do it. There’s no way I can turn down Space Jam.”
James joked about the challenges of the filming schedule. He went on to express gratitude and seemed genuinely surprised to be in such a position.
“I’m just a small kid from Akron, Ohio—a very small town outside of Cleveland. From a single-parent household, I’m the only child, my mother had absolutely nothing. She was walking around high school when she was 16 years old and she was pregnant with me as a high school sophomore. So, I’m really not supposed to be here.
“Growing up in the inner city, as an African-American kid, there’s no way you’re supposed to fucking make it out. And, the fact that I’m who I am as an African-American adult now with three kids of my own, and I made it out of the situations that I was in. This shit is like extra credit for me, man.”
It’s got to be hard to find an actor who can serve as LeBron James’ stunt double -- you don’t find people built like him every day. But Warner Bros. pulled it off.
The studio announced that Sheldon Bailey—a former pro athlete known for his work on Nickelodeon’s Game Shakers—would handle the duties.
Space Jam 2 has cast a basketball double for LeBron. pic.twitter.com/nNJMVfFLWZ
— Championship Faigen (@hmfaigen) August 7, 2019
Now, why will LeBron need a stunt double? That remains to be seen. Expect some theatrics.
It’s well-known that LeBron and Michael Jordan don’t have a particularly tight relationship. In fact, when His Airness was asked in August 2016 who he’d pick to headline a Space Jam sequel, he picked Blake Griffin, who is signed to Jordan Brand.
In an appearance on Sneaker Shopping, Griffin reflected on the endorsement.
“It was pretty cool, I got to be honest,” Griffin said. “Watching that movie growing up, it’s cool to get his seal of approval.”
Griffin shared that he had a Space Jam-themed birthday party as a kid. Though he’s excited to check out the new flick starring LeBron, Griffin admitted he “would’ve loved to have a crack at it.”
We’ve known about the new film’s name—A New Legacy—since April of this year. They shared the news via Twitter with a short clip of LeBron, who sported a hat bearing the title.
Repost from #LeBronJames: 2021. 🐰🥕 🎥 🍿👑 pic.twitter.com/G499sIvXL6
— Space Jam A New Legacy (@spacejammovie) April 30, 2020
Through the LeBron James Family Foundation, longtime LBJ business partner Maverick Carter shared a first look at LeBron in his new Space Jam get-up. The 12-second video got fans hype at the charity’s Fam Jam.
Where can we order this ’fit, though?
Would it be the Family Reunion without a special surprise?! @mavcarter gives our I Promise families the first ever look at @KingJames in his @spacejammovie ‘A New Legacy’ jersey! 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/XsPYL1dvcU
— LeBron James Family Foundation (@LJFamFoundation) August 18, 2020
Last but not least, let’s get to the latest news. Earlier this week, the (reported) plot for Space Jam: A New Legacy popped up on writer Ben Mekler’s Twitter account.
The synopsis for SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY is certifiably bananas and I for one cannot wait to see it pic.twitter.com/BLmc4x5uHb
— Ben Mekler (@benmekler) October 18, 2020
According to the synopsis, the movie features LeBron James’ son (Bronny, perhaps?), who must be rescued from an “all-powerful force” played by Don Cheadle.
We can’t say for sure this is legit right now, but if so, sounds like they're really going for it.
Lee’s film features production from LBJ, Carter, Coogler (of Black Panther and Creed), and Duncan Henderson. Coogler and Sev Ohanian, who worked together on Fruitvale Station, are the writers.
In addition to James and Cheadle, Sonequa Martin-Green, Eric Bauza, and Kath Soucie will star in the movie.
