The National Basketball Association‘s All-Star Weekend has become stale over the years, but one event might revitalize it: a live reading of Space Jam.
This year, prior to Saturday’s three-point shootout and dunk contest in Toronto, fans gathered at the Toronto International Film Festival to witness a reenactment of Space Jam, with comedian Hannibal Buress taking over the lead role of Michael Jordan.
Buress was joined on stage by YouTube and Vine star Jasmeet Singh, comedian Mark Little, NBA TV reporter Kristen Ledlow, Toronto film commissioner Zaib Shaikh, Vice personality Matt Matheson, and actors Lamar Johnson, Kristian Bruun, Ennis Esmer, Keara Graves, and Tara Spencer-Nairn.
Cast of the #TIFFNextWave Space Jam Live Read including @hannibalburess @JusReign @heyennisshutup @joeldavidmoore pic.twitter.com/qft73vvOcR
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) February 13, 2016
Jordan watching Jordan at the Space Jam Live Read #TIFFNextWave pic.twitter.com/CMmzZOGhMe
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) February 13, 2016
A trio of Toronto artists brought the show to life by sketching out scenes from the performance. Illustrators Dasha Zolota and Evan Munday gave Space Jam the animated touch it needed via Twitter.
Prelim sketch for Space Jam Live Read at 1 PM at @TIFF_NET. Follow me, @dzolts & @torontoist for the live drawing. pic.twitter.com/lTODaZ8Q5Y
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) February 13, 2016
Space Jam Live Read in 10 min. The scene is set. @torontoist @TIFF_NET pic.twitter.com/LeIlZmINDy
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) February 13, 2016
Just so you're prepared for the quality of drawings you'll see for @TIFF_NET's Space Jam. @torontoist pic.twitter.com/Pw66GlHAbn
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) February 13, 2016
Emily @TIFF_NET welcomes us to the Jam. @torontoist pic.twitter.com/2eMHrlvo2M
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) February 13, 2016
Playing Larry Bird, Ennis Esmer! @torontoist @TIFF_NET pic.twitter.com/mVmt5TEWPU
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) February 13, 2016
Who remembered Space Jam was about Michael Jordan's baseball hopes? @torontoist @TIFF_NET pic.twitter.com/OEpqT0jUS2
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) February 13, 2016
Bugs Bunny doesn't look as good as his old acting days #washups @TIFF_NET @idontlikemunday @torontoist pic.twitter.com/TxmEmkjzIp
— Dasha Zolota (@dzolts) February 13, 2016
The hilarious @JusReign killing it as Stan in Space Jam. @torontoist @TIFF_NET pic.twitter.com/JSKM78YGkL
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) February 13, 2016
Demonstrating multiple roles for women in Space Jam, @KristenLedlow. @TIFF_NET @torontoist pic.twitter.com/vJe8OM7npH
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) February 13, 2016
Daffy Duck 20 years later don't look too good @torontoist @TIFF_NET @idontlikemunday #spacejamlive pic.twitter.com/yPtMHNeGNy
— Dasha Zolota (@dzolts) February 13, 2016
The real MVP of the Space Jam live read: Charles Barkley. @TIFF_NET @torontoist pic.twitter.com/hoT4C0elWm
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) February 13, 2016
– @MichaelJordanFC looks awfully like @hannibalburess @torontoist @TIFF_NET @idontlikemunday #spacejamlive pic.twitter.com/CAS2yB6eEn
— Dasha Zolota (@dzolts) February 13, 2016
Bugs Bunny (@joeldavidmoore) gets ready to pack his bags for Moron Mountain. @TIFF_NET @torontoist pic.twitter.com/oBRzX0wvcM
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) February 13, 2016
Hannibal Buress looks so comfortable in the Jordan role, he must be wearing Hanes. @TIFF_NET @torontoist pic.twitter.com/zLOVv37laG
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) February 13, 2016
Next on your Loony Toon roster is Porky Pig @torontoist @TIFF_NET @idontlikemunday #spacejamlive pic.twitter.com/GjIrXCSdfU
— Dasha Zolota (@dzolts) February 13, 2016
NBA superfan @TheBruun knows his stuff! @TIFF_NET @torontoist pic.twitter.com/bFNKykbxsv
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) February 13, 2016
Not saying current panel of readers are on meth but I draw very accurately @TIFF_NET @idontlikemunday #spacejamlive pic.twitter.com/0vXkF4WfzY
— Dasha Zolota (@dzolts) February 13, 2016
Swackhammer in utter defeat! @TIFF_NET @torontoist pic.twitter.com/0xhH91AGO3
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) February 13, 2016
Tazmanian Devil was replaced by an angry lint ball #budgetcuts #spacejamlive @TIFF_NET @idontlikemunday @torontoist pic.twitter.com/jdejxSdXuB
— Dasha Zolota (@dzolts) February 13, 2016
Hannibal Buress following stage directions to a T! @torontoist @Doug_Tilley pic.twitter.com/DhGobsXDz0
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) February 13, 2016
The story of the Space Jam @TIFF_NET Live Read, as tweeted to @torontoist, on my dirty carpet. pic.twitter.com/whvbnURqbA
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) February 13, 2016
It’s been 20 years since Space Jam debuted in theaters and, despite the lukewarm critical reception at the time, it has lived on as a cult classic for basketball and Looney Tunes fans alike. It’s been the subject of tributes and serious critiques, showing its strange staying power in pop culture.
Rumors of a reboot, likely focused around LeBron James, have been swirling for some time now. Until then, fans will have to settle for live reads like the one in Toronto or the 2014 performance featuring Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin and a cast of comedians.
Perhaps in future years, taking part in Space Jam live reads will be added as an official event for All-Star Weekend.
H/T Torontoist | Photo via Erin Nekervis/Flickr (CC BY SA 2.0)