In his first project since directing Marvel’s Black Panther, Ryan Coogler has signed on to produce Space Jam 2 starring LeBron James. The Warner Bros. film is set to begin filming in 2019 during the NBA off-season.
The long-anticipated sequel to the Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny buddy film finally has its producer. In addition to Coogler, Terence Nance — whose experimental HBO series, Random Acts of Flyness, is currently all the rage — has also signed on to direct.
The news was confirmed today by SpringHill Entertainment, a company helmed by James and his business partner, Maverick Carter. SpringHill has been the springboard for James’ recent saturation in television and soon film. His new HBO series, The Shop, has received critical praise after airing just one episode. Additionally, within the past week, both NBC and The CW have announced budding shows in development with SpringHill Entertainment.
James and SpringHill also confirmed today that former ESPN anchor, Jemele Hill, will narrate his “Shut Up and Dribble” documentary set to debut on Showtime. The three-part documentary will air this November.
Space Jam 2, for which James has been linked dating back years, represents the height of his endless parallel to Michael Jordan. The first film, released in 1996 and starring Jordan, hauled in an impressive $250 million box office worldwide. It is still the highest grossing basketball movie of all time.
In comparison, Coogler’s Black Panther grossed over $1 billion globally. Join James’ star power with one of the most sought-after men in Hollywood, and all the expected NBA cameos (maybe even Jordan himself) a film of this magnitude could produce, and it’s widely assumed that Space Jam 2 could eclipse its previous box office success tenfold.
A release date for Space Jam 2 has not yet been announced.
Update 2/21: During NBA All-Star Weekend this past weekend, in Charlotte, LeBron James sat down with The Crossover and confirmed that Space Jam 2 will begin preliminary filming this summer. The film will be produced by Random Acts of Flyness‘ Terrance Nance and directed by Black Panther‘s Ryan Coogler. James, of course, will star. Much of this, too, depends on if the Lakers make the NBA Playoffs and how far their run extends. Stay tuned for more details.
LeBron got the kids in Charlotte excited about Space Jam 2, which starts filming this summer pic.twitter.com/qqJwCNy1b8
— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) February 16, 2019
