Is now a good time forSpace Jam 2? Director of the 1996 originalJoe Pytkasure doesn’t think so. Not because audiences aren’t hungry for it. But because theNBAjust doesn’t have the same colorful cast of athletes that it did 20 years ago. Because of this, he thinks the movie is gearing up to be a big flop at the box office.
LeBron Jameswas officially confirmed to be taking over forMichael Jordanlast week in a sequel toSpace Jamthat will pair the pro basketball player up with theLooney TunesAll-Stars. The original movie earned $90 million at the domestic box office when it was released in November 1996. It would go onto pull in a healthy $230 million worldwide, opening againstThe Mirror Has Two Facesstarring Barbara Streisand and Jeff Bridges. While it opened at #1 during its first weekend of release, it quickly fell toStar Trek: First Contactin the following weeks. But the movie would prove to be a giant hit on VHS.
Reboots and remakes are a lofty proposition anymore for studios. And as of late, as evidenced by theGhostbustersredo, fans are starting to fight back. But proper sequels to long standing franchises such asJurassic WorldandStar Wars: The Force Awakensare pulling in big bucks at the box office. This live-action/animation venture will be a true follow-up that brings all of the original cartoon characters back. Only the humans will be different. And herein lies the problem, according toPytka. Speaking withTHR, the original director had this to say about revamping the franchise.
“Don’t do it. It’s Doomed. Michael Jordan was the biggest star on the planet. When we did Space Jam, there was a perfect storm of players and ex-players available - Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing. They all had a persona that complemented the film. There are none around like that now.”
Michael Jordanwas considered the greatest basketball player of all time when he played himself in the originalSpace Jamat just 33-years-old. And while not an actor by trade, he proved to have a lot of chemistry with his Hollywood iconsBugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Sylvester the Cat.LeBron James, who is now 31, will be roughly around the same age asJordonwhen he straps on his Air Jordans to battle another basketball invasion from outer space. The movie will haveFast & FuriousandStar Trek BeyonddirectorJustin Linat the helm.
Another problem withSpace Jam 2is that, while he proved to be a good comic foil againstBill Haderin last summer’s romantic comedyTrainwreck,LeBron Jamesis not at the same level asMichael Jordanwas way back in 1996. And some believe his ball playing has already been eclipsed bySteph Curry. Add that to the fact thatSpace Jamwon’t hit theaters for at the very least 2 years. Of course, claiming the movie is doomed is just one man’s opinion. The idea ofSpace Jam 2has been a hot topic on social media. And fans have made it clear that they want the movie. Will it be the same kind of blockbuster success as the original? We’ll have to wait and see.
