Space Jam 2 is happening. Really! Honestly! Truly! It’s happening this time.
The Hollywood Reporter reports that the long-rumored Space Jam sequel starring LeBron James is officially a-go, thanks to the addition of a prominent producer.
Black Panther director Ryan Cooler will produce the untitled Space Jam film and Terrence Nance, creator of HBO’s experimental series, Random Acts of Flyness, will serve as director.
We’ve all been burned before but this announcement is so official that production is already slated to begin in 2019 during the NBA offseason. That means filming could begin sometime in April to June, depending on when LeBron James’ new Los Angeles Lakers team’s season finishes. Also, James Spring Hill Entertainment imprint confirmed the news via Instagram.
James has produced several shows and documentaries for HBO and will be taking his voice acting talents to animated Yeti comedy Smallfoot this winter. James has long been interested in show business and as the heir apparent to Michael Jordan, it only seems natural that he would spearhead a Space Jam sequel.
The original 1996 film saw Jordan teaming up with Warner Bros. Looney Tunes like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck to engage villainous aliens in basketball warfare. Still, progress on the potential sequel was slow. Getting the very, very, very in-demand Coogler signed on could have been the deciding factor.
The Space Jam sequel will be the first project for Coogler following Black Panther’s enormous success. “I loved his vision for Black Panther,” James told The Hollywood Reporter. “For Ryan to be able to bring that to kids, it’s amazing.”
Now that everything is official, all that remains is for the project to fill out its cast.