https://nerdist.com/article/space-jam-2-everything-we-know-so-far/

Everybody get up, it’s time to slam now, cause we got another jam goin’ down. Welcome to the Space Jam… 2. More than two decades after Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes defeated the Monstars, and after years of false starts, we’re finally getting a sequel. What will the new Tune Squad with LeBron James look like and when will we see his team hit the court? Here’s what’s up, doc, with everything we know about Space Jam 2 so far.

Official Title and Logo

The film’s official title is Space Jam: A New Legacy. Mega superstar LeBron James shares top billing with an animated character in the movie, which is amazing.

Release Date

The movie will tip off in theaters next summer, on July 16, 2021. However, COVID-19 delayed the current season. It’s possible the 2020-2021 NBA season will end well after June, maybe even as late as August, which could push the film’s release to the “off-season” in the fall.

The Tune Squad’s New Jerseys

LeBron James’ company Uninterrupted offered the first look at the Tune Squad’s new uniforms and they are definitely not subtle. A colorful blue set has replaced the original white jerseys. They have a giant Looney Tunes logo, which spans both the top and the shorts, on one side.

These are dramatically different from what Michael Jordan wore.

Kids are probably going to love them.

Cast

Most people know LeBron James as one of the stars of Trainwreck, but what is less known is he also plays in the National Basketball Association. And he’s not half-bad. He’ll be stepping into the lead role that originally belonged to the GOAT Michael Jordan.

Star Trek Discovery‘s Sonequa Martin-Green has also signed on to the film. Variety reports she is expected to play James’ wife in the film. Avenger Don Cheadle will also appear in a still-unannounced role. With his vast experience fighting dangerous aliens, he seems like a natural for the Tune Squad.

NBA insider Shams Charania got to add entertainment reporter to his résumé by announcing which real basketball players will join LeBron James in the film. They include NBA stars Damian Lillard, Klay Thompson, and James’  Lakers teammate Anthony Davis. WNBA stars Diana Taurasi and Nneka Ogwumike will also be in the film.

The Looney Tunes are returning. We’re unsure though if Mr. Swackhammer will return with a new team of Monstars, or if the movie will have a new villain.

At one point former NBA player Jared Sullinger was listed in the cast as playing NBA Hall-of-Famer Charles Barkley, a Space Jam star whose talents were stolen. If this is not an error, it could mean we’ll see flashbacks, or possibly some time traveling shenanigans, which will involve a much younger Barkley.

Either way, that hopefully indicates the real Barkley returning for the sequel as well, and possibly other NBA stars who also co-starred in the first film. That includes Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, Muggsy Bogues, Shawn Bradley, and Larry Johnson. It’s unknown if the first film’s stars Wayne Knight and Bill Murray will also return, or Danny DeVito, who voiced Swackhammer.

And while we know Michael Jordan doesn’t play basketball anymore, the Tune Squad might need a GM.

One major star from the original film who will return is Bugs Bunny, as he was given a locker in the first promo image for the film.

Lola Bunny will also return, though she won’t be the only other Looney Tunes character to return to the Tune Squad.

Filmmakers

Black Panther‘s Ryan Coogler is producing the film. He wrote the film along with Sev Ohanian. Malcolm D. Lee (Girls Trip, Night School) is directing, taking over from Terence Nance.

Filming

Filming was scheduled to begin in L.A. on June 17, 2019. That was the day after the last possible date the NBA Finals could have ended. Shooting was scheduled to wrap up in late August before the NBA pre-season kicked off.

Make sure to check back here to find out what’s up with Space Jam 2 as we learn more about the film.

 Featured Image: Universal Pictures/Warner Bros.

Originally published on March 28, 2019 and updated on August 18, 2020.

The post SPACE JAM 2 Reveals the Tune Squad’s New Uniforms appeared first on Nerdist.