For kids in the nineties, “Space Jam” was an event. In 1996, Michael Jordan was a global icon, and the Looney Tunes were still a cartoon staple for kids around the world. Sure, the lens of nostalgia makes it easy to forget that the movie, like Jordan’s acting, isn’t that great, but everyone under the age of 14 wanted to see “Space Jam” the summer it came out.
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Twenty-five years later, “Space Jam: A New Legacy” looks to make the same summer splash with audiences. The sequel stars LeBron James, the generational talent that vies for Jordan’s GOAT status, as he and his son team up with the Looney Tunes to take down a rogue AI on a virtual basketball court.
Alongside James, “A New Legacy” also stars Don Cheadle as the villainous algorithm Al-G Rhythm, Khris Davis, and Sonequa Martin-Green. Ceyair J. Wright plays Dom James, a fictional iteration of LBJ’s actual son LeBron James, Jr., who aspires to become a videogame developer.
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There’s an entourage of current NBA talent alongside James in the film, too. Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, Draymond Green, and Kyle Kuzma will all have cameos. WNBA stars Diana Taurasi, Nneka Ogwumike, and Chiney Ogwumike are also on board.
“A New Legacy” marks the first time the Looney Tunes have hit the big screen since 2003’s “Looney Tunes: Back In Action.” Comedy director Malcolm D. Lee is behind the camera, his last film being 2018’s “Night School.” Director Ryan Coogler, Maverick Carter, and Duncan Henderson are also producers along with James.
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How will LeBron’s showdown against Al-G Rhythm measure up to Jordan’s takedown on the Monstars? Find out on July 16, when “Space Jam: A New Legacy” opens in theaters and streams exclusively on HBO Max.