LeBron James has tapped Black Panther director Ryan Coogler to produce the highly anticipated Space Jam sequel. The film will be directed by HBO’s Random Acts of Flyness creator Terence Nance, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Starring James, the it's expected to begin production during the 2019 NBA offseason.
People have been wondering where Coogler might land next after directing his Marvel flick, which successfully grossed a historic $1.34 billion worldwide—the highest for any black director in history. “I loved his vision,” James told THR of Coogler’s Black Panther. "For Ryan to be able to bring that to kids, it’s amazing.”
Coogler is new to the role of producer, his first credit being this November's Creed II, which he executive produced.
A Space Jam sequel has been rumored for a while, but now it appears James and his business manager Maverick Carter are finally able to bring it to life after discussing a number of possible directors and producers.
It’s unclear if Michael Jordan will be in the remake, but it’s sure to be full of NBA cameos similar to the 1996 original. “The Space Jam collaboration is so much more than just me and the Looney Tunes getting together and doing this movie,” James told THR. “It's so much bigger. I'd just love for kids to understand how empowered they can feel and how empowered they can be if they don't just give up on their dreams. And I think Ryan did that for a lot of people.”
Beyond Space Jam, James’ production company SpringHill Entertainment is becoming a big name in the world of TV and film. A handful of the projects James and Carter have under their belt include a series about Madame C.J. Walker starring Octavia Butler, and Topboy with Drake and Future. There’s also a Muhammad Ali documentary in the works with HBO, and a feature for Legendary called Hustle.
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