UPDATE 11:33 p.m.: Well, someone maybe tied Warner Brothers may be putting together a team for Space Jam 2, but contrasting earlier reports LeBron James’ people say he is not yet attached, updates Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com. The report says there are no efforts by Warner Brothers to make this film, at least officially.
What to make of it? Movie ideas bubble up and this may be something in an early but far from solidified form. Something with some names attached, something leaked to a media source to help it gain momentum. It may or may happen.
We need to emphasize LeBron is not attached right now. That could change. You can bet there have been talks and LeBron is probably interested, but that is different from being inked to the project. I still bet if the entire rest of the project comes together LeBron would be in.
8:27 p.m.: The Monstars are back.
Probably. Having a script in development is a long way from an actual movie, but this seems to have enough people attached to it — there is enough star power and juice — that this particular project could become a reality.
LeBron James is working with the sons of NBC Sports legend Dick Ebersol and Warner Bros. to produce Space Jam 2, according to Deadline.com (via ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, apparently an avid reader of the Hollywood trades).Broadcasting veteran Dick Ebersol‘s sons have come on board to develop the sequel to 1996 animated/live-action hit Space Jam as a starring vehicle for James, the Miami Heat star who broke his nose during last night’s game against the Oklahoma City when the Thunder’s Serge Ibaka got him in the face after a dunk.
Another Space Jam film? Why not? The first film, which broke ground for Warner Bros and starred then-Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan and a slew of other top NBA players, ended up grossing $230M worldwide for the studio and even launched a kids TV series.
Let’s be honest, at this point playing with Daffy Duck can’t be worse than a few of his Miami Heat teammates. And sources tell PBT Bugs Bunny is already on the Dwyane Wade knee maintenance program and is taking two out of every three days off before shooting.
This is actually a huge move for the LeBron James brand. Of course, some will complain he is treading on sacred Jordan turf, but if you really think that you need to go watch this film again — it was crass Jordan marketing. Like it or not LeBron is becoming the biggest international star since Jordan. This can only help boost that image domestically and internationally. If he wants to be an icon, this is exactly the kind of move LeBron James should make.
Let’s just hope they take the Pixar route here of putting together a good script to build around and not just slap a bunch of stars up on the screen and call it a movie. Because I saw Space Jam and...