LeBron James is taking his talents to Hollywood. The King is officially heading west to play for the Los Angeles Lakers and nobody can stop talking about it. But does this mean Space Jam 2 will finally happen?
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This film idea to make a sequel to the 1996 classic starring Michael Jordan has been buzzing for the last few years. Now, with James in the area, perhaps they can get the ball rolling and actually make this a reality.
But is this a good idea? Will it garner more interest? Or will it ruin the original? Who is playing on the Monstars squad? Do we get a Bill Murray-like cameo to help save the day?
These are all fair inquiries which need some legitimate answers.
So before Fanbuzz writers John Duffley and Brett Regan debate the most pressing questions for the potential Warner Bros. film, let's lay out some non-negotiable ground rules first:
— LeBron James is the main character. It's definitely not up for any sort of debate. (Sorry, Kobe fans.)
— The plot will have a similar premise to the original Space Jam: LeBron James will be kidnapped in some ridiculous way, go to "Looney Tunes Land" with Bugs Bunny and company, and will play the Nerdlucks/Monstars in a game, which he will win and return home. (Thankfully not go back to the baseball diamond, although LeBron might be good at baseball.)
— All Monstars must be current NBA players and not teammates of LeBron James. (Sorry, Kevin Garnett and Lance Stephenson. You guys would absolutely be included if these rules didn't exist. In case you don't remember, the original Monstars were Muggsy Bouges, Charles Barkley, Shawn Bradley, Patrick Ewing, and Larry Johnson.)
— None of the Looney Tunes age. They are all still in their prime. (Or, what Daffy Duck resembled as a prime in the first movie over 20 years ago.)
That's it. After all, this is supposed to be a kid-friendly flick and there is no need to go crazy and make it more complicated than it needs to be.
1. Is Space Jam 2 really a good idea?
BR: Absolutely. It's the best of ideas. This can be a global phenomenon. It has a chance to be even bigger than the first film, which made $230.4 million at the box office, and will feature a once-in-a-generation superstar still at the peak of his powers in the NBA. It just might not be better than the original. For starters, it's hard to find sequels better than the original. Secondly, there isn't a crazy plot like MJ playing baseball to run off of. Lastly, there's too much nostalgia associated with the original for many to get over. This movie needs to happen, though. It has been teased for far too long for it not to and if there is anyone perfect for the main role in this epic sequel, it's LeBron James.
JD: NO. The original Space Jam might as well be the greatest documentary of all time. How did Michael Jordan, who had left basketball in his prime, find his 'Secret Stuff' to return to the NBA? Because he was pulled down a golf hole by Bugs Bunny, went 22-for-22 for 44 points to beat the Monstars and save Looney Tunes Land, that's why. There is no way LeBron's version could compete with that.
2. Who should the Monstars be?
JD: Here is my ideal Monstars starting lineup...
Point Guard: Isaiah Thomas. In the mold of Muggsy Bouges, the quick-handled, small-statured IT would keep Bugs Bunny busy at the top of the key all game long.
Shooting Guard: Dwyane Wade. D-Wade gets some Monstar juice in his veins, and he's salty that LeBron left Miami, and then had him traded back to Miami. Old friends? Not anymore.
Small Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo. Can you imagine Giannis' length when he's Monstar size? No one gets within 20 feet of the basket.
Power Forward: Draymond Green. Draymond is already a bully. When he's a Monstar? He will bully LeBron all over the court, back to the locker room, and all the way back to St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School.
Center: Zaza Pachulia. Zaza just fouls everybody the entire game and pretends like he is important systematically. He will finish with zero points and injure most of the Tune Squad's bench players.
BR: That IT at point guard pick has me cracking up considering what happened last year. Solid choice, man. I definitely disagree with making Dwyane Wade salty and not part of Team Banana Boat, but the rest I can certainly get behind to challenge The King. Here is what I got:
Point Guard: Patty Mills. Let's face it, Muggsy had a nice career, but he was never a superstar. Sliding in the Australian hooper here is appropriate for role and global reach, and also allows LeBron to get a little revenge from the Spurs winning the title in 2014.
Shooting Guard: DeMar DeRozan. It's only right to put a talented player LeBron James has knocked out of the playoffs like MJ did to Patrick Ewing. This is an easy call.
Small Forward: Paul George. He will now have a reason to visit Los Angeles again. PG is also a really good player and one LeBron will probably enjoy taking down in an important game again.
Power Forward: Kristaps Porzingis. There has to be one of the Warriors on this team, right? Wrong. Maybe Kevin Durant should have been the small forward, and there is no denying Green deserving a spot here, but the Warriors have already ruined too much. There is no reason to have them benefit from this blockbuster in anyway. This is also a global play, too.
Center: Boban Maranovic. A classic choice to be proud of here. He is not as tall as Shawn Bradley, sure, but he is huge and hilarious and would be flawless in this role. There is nobody better. The Nerdlucks just need to be quick to steal his powers since he only plays around eight minutes per game.
3. Who is the surprise Bill Murray-like cameo in the sequel?
JD: Jr. Smith gets his redemption from this year's NBA Finals and passes to LeBron for the game-winning bucket.
BR: The correct and maybe only answer here is Michael Jordan. Could you imagine the roars in the theaters if MJ shows up for the final play? Could you imagine how incredible the new Space Jam sneakers he rocks would be? Could you imagine Jordan hitting LeBron for the game-winning dunk and passing the proverbial basketball torch? The first two answers would have the world excited beyond belief. The last one? Not so much. There's just no way Jordan is passing the rock to LeBron for any kind of last shot or passing any sort of greatness torch. It's wishful thinking, but that's the cameo that needs to happen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIV_9—awCI
4. Which Space Jam soundtrack would be the best?
BR: Man, this is interesting. I don't think there would be much competition here. The original had the all-time R. Kelly "I Believe I Can Fly" classic, an incredible collaboration of Barry White and Chris Rock on "Basketball Jones," featured some Jock Jams-esque pump-up songs, and mixed in a smooth R&B flow throughout the track list. It's hard telling what the sequel would have, but it better bring it if it even wants to be in the same kind of conversation.
JD: It's not even a debate. The original Space Jam soundtrack might be the greatest soundtrack of all time. I'm going to listen to the soundtrack all day now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIQn8pab8Vc
