It’s been 18 years since the original, but Space Jam 2 is finally in the works.
Update: Sources close to LeBron James say he is not involved. They even suggest that Space Jam 2 is not happening, but Deadline is a trustworthy source so odds are that it still is, even if LeBron isn’t.
Well it was fun while it lasted. LeBron sources refute Deadline report, there's no Space Jam 2 or Warner Bros. project in works
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) February 22, 2014
Sources close to LeBron James say he is not involved in reported production of "Space Jam 2." Development of film was reported by @Deadline.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 22, 2014
According to Deadline, Warner Bros. has Space Jam 2 in development. The film will star current NBA superstar LeBron James.
According to the same report, the film will be written and produced by the sons of broadcasting veteran Dick Ebersol. Charlie Ebersol will produce the project. He already has plenty of experience developing sports based media with his USA Network series NFL Characters Unite. The script was written by his brother Willie Ebersol, a former Emmy winner. This is the latter Ebersol’s first screenplay.
The original Space Jam was released in 1996 with NBA legend Michael Jordan as the lead. In that film, Jordan agreed to help the Looney Tunes play a game versus alien slavers to determine their freedom. In addition to Jordan, the film featured NBA players Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, Danny Ainge, Tyron “Muggsy” Bogues, Vlade Divac, Cedric Ceballos, Larry Johnson, Shawn Bradley and Paul West.
Space Jam grossed $230 million at the box office, a number which Space Jam 2 will almost certainly pass. The sequel will likely follow in the footsteps of the original and feature many current NBA players.
In addition to the various NBA players and Looney Tunes characters, we think Warner Bros. will want to cast several sellable movie stars in the film. The original starred Bill Murray and Wayne Knight, and putting in similar big stars for this sequel will be an important move to bring people to the theater.
There is currently no timeline for the production of Space Jam 2.