To those around the Internet who are mad as hell (or overjoyed) at the prospect of Miami Heat star LeBron James starring in a sequel to Space Jam—simmer down.
The project might not happen.
Well it was fun while it lasted. LeBron sources refute Deadline report, there’s no Space Jam 2 or Warner Bros. project in works
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) February 22, 2014
ESPN’s Brian Windorst was able to track down a response from the King James camp late Friday night that cast doubt on James’ involvement in a follow up to Michael Jordan’s loved 1996 kids movie, in which Jordan teams up with Looney Tunes to defeat space invaders. It did well at the box office, bringing in $230 million for Warner Bros. (though Independence Day, Twister, and The Nutty Professor were more popular that year.) If you remember nothing else about the film, you’ll probably recall R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly” playing pretty much non-stop on the radio.
Earlier Friday, Deadline Hollywood reported that Warner Bros. is developing a screenplay for a sequel to the film that would cast James in the basketball hero role. The news ignited an instant a firestorm on Twitter and elsewhere on the Web.
Space Jam 2 is gonna be an absolute joke nothing beats the original
— Alex Shirley (@alexshirley10) February 22, 2014
Space Jam 2 needs to be made. My life would be made then!
— Bob Gowen (@DrBobGowen) February 22, 2014
Space Jam 2 with LeBron?!? Um yes please
— Dylan Sigel (@DylanSigel) February 22, 2014
Kobe Bryant deserves to be in a Space Jam sequel for all the things he has done in his career not LeBum.
— Nate Rego (@NateRego) February 22, 2014
Lebron James is confirmed to star in Space Jam 2. Time to whip out the old footy pajamas and turn up like I’m 4.
— Andrew Shores (@Dinoshores) February 22, 2014
LeBron James is gonna cast in Space Jam 2? Well this movie is gonna suck!!!! #Dust
— Assam (@TheGutless) February 22, 2014
A Space Jam sequel with Lebron? That would be terrible and a waste of a good movie. #SpaceJam2 #LeBronJames #hateLebron
— Blake Roberts (@BER_Jr24) February 22, 2014
While denials from sources close to LeBron James aren’t definitive proof the project won’t happen (he could be in more casual talks, or waiting for the studio to make a better offer), the film does have a long way to go before it makes it to the screen. It doesn’t even have a script. That being said, the huge reaction to the news will certainly give James and Warner Bros. executives something to think about.
H/T CBSSports | Screengrab via cpearson18/YouTube