Ryan Coogler is teaming with LeBron James on Space Jam 2, the long-anticipated follow-up to the 1996 film Space Jam. Michael Jordan starred in the original, and it went on to make $230 million at the worldwide box office.

Coogler will produce the sequel and Terence Nance, who created HBO’s Random Acts of Flyness and directed the experimental film The Oversimplification of Her Beauty, will direct. Production on the film is tentatively slated for 2019, during the NBA off-season. It will be James’ first starring role after he received praise in the 2015 comedy Trainwreck, starring Amy Schumer.

On Coogler’s involvement, James noted that when he was a kid growing up in Akron, Ohio, there were no black superheroes. He went on to say, “I loved his vision [for Black Panther]. So for Ryan to be able to bring that to kids, it’s amazing. The Space Jam collaboration is so much more than just me and the Looney Tunes getting together and doing this movie. It’s so much bigger. I’d just love for kids to understand how empowered they can feel and how empowered they can be if they don’t just give up on their dreams. And I think Ryan did that for a lot of people.”

Space Jam has been long-rumored, with various directors and writers attached to the project over the years, including Justin Lin, the man behind the Fast & Furious movies. The movement on the project coincides with James’ recent surge in Hollywood film and TV projects as a producer. Just last week, NBC and The CW announced separate shows in development with James’ Spring Hill Entertainment. Spring Hill also posted a teaser image officially announcing the film.

Space Jam was chock-full of cameos from NBA players (and Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes). It’s unclear at this point, however, if Jordan will be among those featured in the sequel.

Are you excited for Space Jam 2? What other NBA players are you hoping to see in the sequel? Let us know down in the comments!

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

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