It’s been rumored for years and years, but it appears to be closer to becoming a reality: ‘Space Jam 2,’ the tentatively-titled sequel to the 1996 cult classic, is coming. The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Ryan Coogler, director of the smash-hit Black Panther, has been tapped to produce alongside Terence Nance, who will be directing.
Coogler was approached by LeBron James for the project, who decided Coogler was the one after seeing Black Panther. “I loved his vision,” James said. “For Ryan to be able to bring [black superheroes] to kids, it’s amazing.”
It may seem strange that LeBron James is the one nudging this project forward (outside of him being the modern-day Michael Jordan on the basketball court), but this isn’t his first foray into the world of scripted entertainment. Last week, NBC and The CW both announced they are working with James’s production company, SpringHill Entertainment, on separate projects.
Space Jam was a live-action/animated film featuring the NBA stars of the time, such as Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley, alongside Looney Tunes characters, playing a game of basketball with intergalactic implications. The film has been remembered and beloved ever since its 1996 release, and it’s curious that it’s taken this long for a sequel to actually gain momentum, though one has been rumored since the late 90s.
SpringHill Entertainment’s Instagram profile posted the following image to tease the upcoming film:
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