LeBron James is not taking time off basketball while filming Space Jam 2
By Nicole Ganglani | Photo from NBA.com | Art by Tricia Guevara
Earlier this year, LeBron James was reportedly having trouble recruiting co-stars for the Looney Tunes crossover film. News reports that circulated stated that the pay offered was not high enough and that there were doubts about The King’s ability to recruit co-stars for the long-awaited reboot especially after current MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Steph Curry both declined to star in the movie.
But, once again, James has proved everyone wrong. Senior NBA Writer and Analyst Shams Charania confirmed that Damnian Lilllard, Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Diana Taurasi, and Nneka Ogwumike along with several other Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players will be joining the Los Angeles Laker for Space Jam 2. The film directed by Terence Nance is already in the works and is set for release on July 2021.
The leaked “Space Jam 2” footage that went viral showed Thompson and James at the set of the film in Los Angeles. The three-time NBA champion also composed a heartfelt tweet stating that the film is already in the works and that he couldn’t believe he’s going to star in one of the best sports movies in history.
Man this really just hit me! I’m really shooting Space Jam 2!! This is so surreal and doesn’t even make sense to me! Where I come from man and what I saw growing up this doesn’t add up to me! 🤦🏾♂️! I’m truly grateful and beyond blessed. This is CRAZINESS. 🏀 🐰 🎥 👑🙏🏾
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 25, 2019
But original “Space Jam” star Charles Barkley mentioned during this year’s NBA awards that a reboot of the movie is unnecessary. The retired NBA all star, who was in the movie with NBA legends Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Larry Bird believes that the first movie was already a classic and doesn’t need a sequel.
Space Jam 1 starred Jordan, depicting his retirement from the NBA in 1993 as well as his triumphant return in 1995. The film was a story about how Jordan recruited Looney Tunes to beat a team of aliens (“Monstars” as they’re called in the movie) who robbed NBA players of their “superpowers.” Some other NBA personalities that took part in the first movie were Steve Kerr, Alonzo Mourning, Horace Grant, Danny Ainge, Scottie Pippen, Vlade Divac, Brian Shaw, Jeff Malone, Anthony Miller, and Sharone Wright.
LeBron and the Lakers’ off-season plans are also in production
The Los Angeles Lakers have dominated the off season so far while making significant changes and upgrading their roster. Ever since Anthony Davis’ arrival, LA is doing its best to form a super team alongside James and Davis. The team is keeping tabs on the top prospects in this year’s free agency namely Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and D’angelo Russel.
As the free agency saga continues to heat up, the Lakers have successfully found a way to increase their cap space to offer a max deal to a superstar this off season. This is good news for James and Davis especially with their mission to bring the Larry O’Brien championship trophy back to Los Angeles.
The Lakers are trading Mo Wagner, Isaac Bonga and Jemerrio Jones to Wizards as part of the Anthony Davis deal with New Orleans, league sources tell @ZachLowe_NBA and me. Deal clears contracts and creates more cap space for free agency.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 27, 2019
James is also going to be training while filming for Space Jam 2. The three-time MVP commissioned a customized basketball court for himself and the rest of the players in the cast to practice their game during production.
The Space Jam 2 workout court for players is set up at NBA superfan Jimmy Goldstein’s house in LA, featuring LeBron James’ logo. pic.twitter.com/zmkNYoahoh
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) June 23, 2019
Lebron’s summer is off to a good start especially after going through a morbid season that Laker fans choose to forget about. With the team making drastic changes to their roster and finding ways to build a championship team around him, all Lebron has to focus on now is to work on his game (and on Space Jam 2) but that’s never been a problem for The King.
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