‘Space Jam’ Sequel With LeBron James Is Not Happening (For Now)
It sounded too good to be true, and alas, it was. Deadline reported late last week that Warner Bros. was moving forward with a Space Jam sequel and would replace Michael Jordan with none other than LeBron James. But ESPN reported shortly thereafter that sources connected to James have denied his involvement in any forthcoming projects with WB.
It’s possible that progress in making the movie was simply overstated. According to Deadline, Charlie Ebersol, who is best known for his work on USA Network’s The Moment, was brought on by the studio to produce the project. It was going to be a bit of a family affair, with WB also opting to bring on his brother Willie Ebersol to write the script. Perhaps they have not reached the stage where they’d present the project to James as a potential vehicle for him. Fortunately for James fans, his camp never said he wouldn’t consider the film, just that he wasn’t in talks at the time.
The movie could help significantly boost James’s profile outside of basketball. Of course, it would also fuel the Jordan comparisons. Space Jam, which was released in 1996, brought in more than $230 million at the box office. It featured appearances by Wayne Knight, Theresa Randle, Bill Murray, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Shawn Bradley, Larry Johnson, Muggsy Bogues, and the Looney Tunes.
James is confirmed to appear in the basketball movie Ballers alongside comedian Kevin Hart in summer 2015.
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‘Space Jam’ Sequel With LeBron James Is Not Happening (For Now)
It sounded too good to be true, and alas, it was. Deadline reported late last week that Warner Bros. was moving forward with a Space Jam sequel and would replace Michael Jordan with none other than LeBron James. But ESPN reported shortly thereafter that sources connected to James have denied his involvement in any forthcoming projects with WB.
It’s possible that progress in making the movie was simply overstated. According to Deadline, Charlie Ebersol, who is best known for his work on USA Network’s The Moment, was brought on by the studio to produce the project. It was going to be a bit of a family affair, with WB also opting to bring on his brother Willie Ebersol to write the script. Perhaps they have not reached the stage where they’d present the project to James as a potential vehicle for him. Fortunately for James fans, his camp never said he wouldn’t consider the film, just that he wasn’t in talks at the time.
The movie could help significantly boost James’s profile outside of basketball. Of course, it would also fuel the Jordan comparisons. Space Jam, which was released in 1996, brought in more than $230 million at the box office. It featured appearances by Wayne Knight, Theresa Randle, Bill Murray, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Shawn Bradley, Larry Johnson, Muggsy Bogues, and the Looney Tunes.
James is confirmed to appear in the basketball movie Ballers alongside comedian Kevin Hart in summer 2015.