Let’s see if I can get through this without killing over with laughter.
LeBron James will step into Michael Jordan’s shoes, when he makes the leap to the big screen to star in… Space Jam 2.
That’s right – the sons of broadcast legend Dick Ebersol have reportedly put the project into development as a sequel to the 1996 mix of live-action and animation that starred MJ, and grossed over $230 million worldwide, so maybe the question here shouldn’t be “why?” but instead, “why did it take this long for the idea of a sequel to get a greenlight?”
These days, a movie with that kind of box office is practically guaranteed the franchise tag, and would probably be on its 5th installment by now.
The project, which is currently set up at Warner Bros., should appeal to King James’ millions of adoring young fans around the world. And if, like the first film, it’s littered with cameos by other star NBA players as well as analysts/commentators, and popular Warner Bros cartoon characters, it should be, at least, as big a hit as the first film. Parents will take their kids in bunches, most likely, and it should appeal to teens as well, and maybe even some “old folks” like Sergio (insert smiley face here).
I’ll readily admit that I’ve never sat through the entire first film. I’m seen pieces of it, which were more than enough for me. So I can’t say this sequel will be on my short (or long) list of films to see during whatever year it’s eventually released.
By the way, LeBron James is heading to TV as the Starz cable channel recently gave the green light to a half-hour scripted dramedy series that Sir James is producing with Tom Werner, Mike O’Malley, Maverick Carter and Paul Wachter, titled Survivor’s Remorse, which will explore the complexity, comedy and drama of an experience that everyone reads about, but few understand – what truly happens when you make it out.
Through a combination of God-given talent and north Philly grit, Cam Calloway and Reggie Vaughn have achieved fame and fortune that neither could have imagined growing up in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Philadelphia. But success comes with its own challenges, and the cousins and confidantes wrestle with the rewards of money, stardom, love, and occasionally, the guilt of having “made it.”
The series will obviously lean on LeBron’s own real-life experiences as someone who “made it,” as well as his point of view. The producers are promising an honest and compelling series that will highlight the humor, pain and complexity to characters we all hear/read about, and whose lives we all watch from a distance.
Also, he’ll be starring with Kevin Hart in a comedy feature film titled Ballers, which is set up at Universal Pictures, with Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer and Michael Rosenberg producing.
So, who’s up for Space Jam 2, starring LeBron James?
Source: Shadow & Act
