Everybody get up, it’s time to slam now – we got a real jam goin’ down. Welcome to the Space Jam. Again. In one the most delightful uses of filmmaker clout in recent memory, Ryan Coogler – fresh from the huge successes of Black Panther, Creed, and Fruitvale Station – has used his powers to fire up a Space Jam sequel, this time set to team the Looney Tunes up with basketball icon LeBron James. Coogler is producing with Terence Nance signed on to direct – and now we know when Space Jam 2 will blast off.
According to SpringHill Entertainment, co-founded by LeBron, the film has nabbed a release date on 16 July 2021. Not only that, but the company Tweeted a fan art mock-up image by NJ Creative Wall with a Space Jam 2 logo, and LeBron standing alongside Bugs and Lola Bunny. If you were a kid when the first film arrived in 1996, prepare for a hit of the purest nostalgia. It’s still early days on the sequel, with no fellow humans yet joining the cast – the original co-starred the likes of Bill Murray (as himself!) and Wayne Knight. Can the follow-up assemble a similar culty cast? Someone try and get hold of Jeff Goldblum? What about Steve Buscemi?
The first Space Jam starred Michael Jordan, who was roped in by the Looney Tunes to help them beat evil alien crew the Monstars in a basketball game. It is, as you’ve just read, pure nonsense – but if you grew up in the 1990s, you’ll likely hold considerable affection for its loud, colourful charms. Bring on 2021.
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