Space Jam: A New Legacy

Plot

In the present, LeBron pushes his sons Darius and Dom toward basketball; Dom prefers video game development. The family visits Warner Bros. Studios for a film deal; LeBron rejects it while Dom is intrigued by the studio's AI, Al-G Rhythm. After an argument, Al-G traps LeBron and Dom in the Serververse, takes Dom prisoner, and orders LeBron to form a team to win a basketball game for his freedom. LeBron arrives in Tune World, meets Bugs Bunny, and learns Al-G persuaded the other Looney Tunes to leave. Using Marvin the Martian's spaceship, they recruit the Tunes to form the Tune Squad. Al-G manipulates Dom into creating a basketball video game, Dom Ball, and builds the Goon Squad from avatars of real players. LeBron relents, allowing cartoon physics; the Tune Squad rallies. LeBron apologizes to Dom, who forgives him and joins the Tune Squad.

Cast

LeBron James appears as himself, with Stephen Kankole playing a younger version of him in the opening scene; James also lends his voice to his animated form. Don Cheadle takes on the role of Al-G Rhythm, a deceitful, self-aware artificial intelligence that runs the Warner Bros. Serververse, and also voices the character's digital forms. Cedric Joe plays Dominic "Dom" James, LeBron's younger son who dreams of making video games. Sonequa Martin-Green portrays Kamiyah James, LeBron's wife.

Khris Davis is Malik, LeBron's friend and business partner, with Jalyn Hall playing Malik as a child. Ceyair Wright plays eldest son Darius James, and Harper Leigh Alexander plays daughter Xosha James. Ernie Johnson and Lil Rel Howery appear as themselves commentating on the big game. Xosha Roquemore plays Shanice James, Wood Harris is Coach C, Sarah Silverman and Steven Yeun are Warner Bros. executives, and Slink Johnson is a security guard.

Sue Bird, Draymond Green, and A'ja Wilson cameo as themselves in a flashback. Michael B. Jordan appears as himself in a gag where he's mistaken for Michael Jordan. Bill Murray shows up in a photo cameo, and Travis Scott, Ronda Rousey, and Naomi Osaka also appear. Jeff Bergman voices Bugs Bunny, Sylvester the Cat, Yosemite Sam, Yogi Bear, and Fred Flintstone. Eric Bauza voices Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Foghorn Leghorn, Elmer Fudd, and Marvin the Martian.

Production

Joe Pytka was to direct, with Tony Cervone and Spike Brandt as animation directors. Jordan did not agree to star, and the project was cancelled. The sequel reentered development as Spy Jam starring Jackie Chan, and later as Race Jam starring Jeff Gordon. A sequel with Tiger Woods was also pitched. Ivan Reitman reportedly favored a film with Jordan. These projects were cancelled in favor of Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003). A film titled Skate Jam with Tony Hawk was planned but cancelled after Back in Action underperformed. Traditional animation was done by Company 3 and Tonic DNA; visual effects and computer animation by Industrial Light & Magic.

Reception

Its second weekend dropped 69% to $9.5 million, partly attributed to its simultaneous HBO Max release. The film received negative reviews.