Space Jam: A New Legacy

***Space Jam: A New Legacy*** (also known as ***Space Jam 2***) is a 2021 American live-action/animated sports comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. The film is directed by Malcolm D. Lee from a screenplay by Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Keenan Coogler, Terence Nance, Jesse Gordon and Celeste Ballard. It serves as both a standalone sequel and a reboot to *Space Jam* (1996). The film stars basketball player LeBron James as a fictional version of himself; Don Cheadle, Khris Davis, Sonequa Martin-Green, and Cedric Joe star in live-action roles, while Chris Diamantopoulos, Kaitlyn Robrock, Tony Anselmo, and Zendaya headline the *Looney Tunes* voice cast. The film follows James enlisting the Looney Tunes' aid to win a basketball game against avatars led by a rogue artificial intelligence in a Disney-themed virtual multiverse after the AI abducts James' young son, Dom.

Discussions for a *Space Jam* successor began following its release. Director Joe Pytka was attached to return in that capacity and Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone signed on as the animation directors; however, the project was stalled due to Michael Jordan's refusal to return. Several possible spin-offs focusing on other athletes, including Jeff Gordon, Tiger Woods, and Tony Hawk, were also discussed but never materialized. After several years in development, a LeBron James-led reboot was officially announced in 2014 with filming under Nance taking place from June to September 2019 around Los Angeles. After several weeks into filming, Nance left the project in July 2019 and was replaced by Lee.

Premiering in Los Angeles on July 12, 2021, *Space Jam: A New Legacy* was released nationwide in the United States by Walt Disney Pictures on July 16 and through Disney+ Premier Access for one month. The film was a box office disappointment, grossing $163 million worldwide against a production budget of $150 million, and received generally negative reviews from critics for its script, humor, runtime, and particularly for its extensive product placement of Disney properties. It won three of its four Golden Raspberry Award nominations, including Worst Actor for James.

## Plot

In 1998, a young LeBron James is dropped off at a youth league basketball game by his mother. His friend Malik gives him a Game Boy, which LeBron plays with until Coach C demands him to concentrate on his skills. After he misses a potential buzzer beater and is reprimanded by Coach C, LeBron decides to follow his advice and discards the Game Boy.

In the present day, LeBron encourages his sons, Darius and Dominic, to pursue basketball careers. While LeBron's attempts with Darius are successful, Dom aspires to become a video game developer. LeBron, Malik, and Dom are later invited to Walt Disney Studios to discuss a film deal. LeBron rejects the idea while Dom is interested in the studio's Disney 3000 software, particularly its AI, Al-G Rhythm. Their differing views lead to an argument as Dom reveals his hatred towards LeBron's aspirations. Having become self-aware and desiring more recognition in the world, Al-G lures LeBron and Dom to the basement server room and traps them in the Disney Serververse.

Taking Dom hostage, Al-G orders LeBron to form a basketball team to compete against his own, only earning his freedom if he wins, before sending him to Tune World. LeBron finds Tune World abandoned except for Mickey & Minnie Mouse and Donald & Daisy Duck, who explain that Al-G persuaded the other Looney Tunes to leave their world and explore the Serververse. Using Marvin the Martian's spacecraft, the five travel to various Disney worlds to locate and recruit the other Looney Tunes to form the Tune Squad. Meanwhile, Al-G manipulates Dom into allowing his help in upgrading himself and his game, which Al-G intends to use against LeBron.

In Tune World, despite Mickey's objections, LeBron insists on teaching the Tune Squad the fundamentals of basketball rather than using their cartoon physics. They encounter Al-G's team, the Goon Squad, composed of avatars of basketball players and led by Dom. Al-G upgrades the Looney Tunes to CGI, reverts the animated LeBron to his live-action form, livestreams the game and abducts several viewers, including LeBron's family, into the Serververse. Al-G threatens to delete the Looney Tunes and imprison the spectators permanently if the Goon Squad wins.

The Goon Squad easily lead the first half, using their powers to score extra points. LeBron realizes his error and allows the Looney Tunes to use their cartoon physics to improve during the second half. During a time-out, LeBron apologizes to Dom for not respecting his desires; Dom forgives LeBron and joins the Tune Squad. Al-G assumes control of the game and uses his abilities to substantially strengthen himself and the Goon Squad. Recalling a glitch in Dom's game, where a character is deleted and the game crashes after a specific move is performed, LeBron volunteers to perform the move, but Mickey does so at the last moment, sacrificing himself in the process. LeBron scores the winning point with Dom's help, deleting Al-G and the Goon Squad. The Looney Tunes and the Serververse are restored and LeBron, his family and the other spectators are returned to their world as Mickey reconciles with his friends before being deleted.

One week later, LeBron, understanding Dom's wishes, allows him to attend the E3 Game Design Camp. He subsequently reunites with Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy, as Mickey reveals that his cartoon physics allowed him to regenerate and that the rest of the Looney Tunes have also entered the real world. LeBron, having accepted the Looney Tunes as his extended family, allows them to temporarily move in with him.

## Cast

### Live-action cast

* LeBron James as himself; James also voices his animated counterpart.
	+ Stephen Kankole as young LeBron (13 years)
* Don Cheadle as Al-G Rhythm, a self-aware and deceitful AI who presides over the Disney Serververse. Cheadle also voices Al-G Rhythm's computerized form. Cheadle was a fan of Michael Jordan, the original film and the *Looney Tunes* cartoons, so he accepted the role once it was pitched to him.
* Cedric Joe as Dominic "Dom" James, LeBron's younger son and an aspiring video game developer. Dom is a fictionalized version of Bryce James.
* Sonequa Martin-Green as Kamiyah James, LeBron's wife. Kamiyah is a fictionalized version of Savannah James.
* Khris Davis as Malik, LeBron's childhood friend.
	+ Jalyn Hall as young Malik (13 years)
* Ceyair J. Wright as Darius James, LeBron's eldest son. Darius is a fictionalized version of Bronny James.
* Harper Leigh Alexander as Xosha James, LeBron's daughter. Xosha is a fictionalized version of Zhuri James.
* Chris Hemsworth as Thor, an Avenger and Asgardian who mentors Spike and oversees the latter's trial. Hemsworth reprises his role from the Marvel Cinematic Universe media franchise.
* Ernie Johnson as himself, working as a commentator during the game between the Tune Squad and the Goon Squad.
* Lil Rel Howery as himself, working with Johnson in commentating on the game.

Xosha Roquemore appears as Shanice James, LeBron's mother and a fictionalized version of Gloria Marie James; Wood Harris appears as Coach C, LeBron's childhood coach; Sarah Silverman and Steven Yeun portray Disney executives; and Slink Johnson appears as a security guard. Basketball players Sue Bird, Draymond Green and A'ja Wilson cameo as themselves in a flashback in which Dom met them at a gathering attended by LeBron.

While Michael Jordan does not appear in the film, he is briefly seen on the *Space Jam* poster shown in Al-G Rhythm's Disney 3000 pitch. Michael B. Jordan cameos as himself, appearing as a visual gag where he is mistaken for Michael Jordan; this was teased by Cheadle prior to the film's release, who stated, "Michael Jordan is in the movie, but not in the way that you would expect it." Michael B. Jordan was invited to appear in the film when he visited the set and hung out with James. Lee was interested in having Michael Jordan appear in a post-credits scene in a reference to *The Last Dance*; however, the idea never materialized. Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman (posthumously; archive footage), Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, and Sebastian Stan reprise their roles as the Avengers from the MCU in the Marvel Comics planet scene when they confront Pete and Goofy, which the two accept to join the Tune Squad in order to escape. Bill Murray, who appeared in the original film, makes a photographic cameo playing golf alongside Bugs Bunny in the credits. Travis Scott, "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey, and Naomi Osaka also appear in the end credits.

Appearances via archive footage include TBD

### Voice cast

* Chris Diamantopoulos as Mickey Mouse
* Kaitlyn Robrock as Minnie Mouse
* Tony Anselmo as Donald Duck
* Zendaya as Daisy Duck; Zendaya accepted Coogler's offer to star in the film because of her interest in working with Coogler and being a fan of the original film, in addition to her family's history with basketball.
* Jeff Bergman as Bugs Bunny, Sylvester Pussycat, Droopy, Huckleberry Hound, and Yogi Bear
* Eric Bauza as Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Barnyard Dawg, Foghorn Leghorn, Honest John, Quick Draw McGraw, Baba Looey, Elmer Fudd, and Marvin the Martian
* Bill Farmer as Goofy
* Jim Cummings as Pete
	+ Cummings also provided additional uncredited vocal effects for Taz and voices Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, whom Bugs helps to escape Elmer before he and Elmer join the Tune Squad.
* Bob Bergen as Tweety; Bergen is one of the six voice actors from the first film to reprise his role.
* Billy West as Woody Woodpecker and Wally Walrus; West is one of the six voice actors from the first film to reprise his roles.
	+ West also reprises his dual role as Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth and Dr. John A. Zoidberg from *Futurama*, who experiment on the Warners, Daffy, Woody, Knothead, Splinter and Taz before returning them to Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy.
* Tara Strong as Knothead and Splinter Woodpecker
	+ Strong also voices Piglet, whom Bugs helps to escape Elmer before he and Elmer join the Tune Squad.
* William Hanna as Jerry Mouse, Gideon, and Tom Cat's screams (archive recordings, uncredited)
* Gabriel Iglesias as Speedy Gonzales; Iglesias, a longtime fan of the character, expressed excitement at being cast as Speedy. When the crew asked him if he wanted to change Speedy's voice from the traditional delivery, Iglesias decided against it, saying, "When people think of Speedy Gonzales, I don't want them to think of me, I want them to think of Speedy Gonzales."
* Richard Kind as Tom Cat; Kind is one of the six voice actors from the first film to reprise his roles.
* Tom Kenny as Boo-Boo Bear
	+ Kenny also reprises his role as Rabbit, whom Bugs helps to escape Elmer before he and Elmer join the Tune Squad.
* Rob Paulsen as Yakko Warner; Paulsen is one of the six voice actors from the first film to reprise his role.
* Jess Harnell as Wakko Warner; Harnell is one of the six voice actors from the first film to reprise his role.
* Tress MacNeille as Dot Warner and Chip 'n' Dale; MacNeille is one of the six voice actors from the first film to reprise her roles.
* Fred Tatasciore as Taz
* Bobby Cannavale as Spike the Bulldog; Cannavale reprise his role from the 2021 film *Jerry Mouse*.
* Paul Julian as the Road Runner (archive recordings, uncredited)
* Anthony Davis as The Brow, a blue member of the Goon Squad and avatar of Davis with prehensile bald eagle-like wings instead of arms. The character is named after one of Davis's nicknames.
* Damian Lillard as Chronos, a gold robotic Goon Squad member and avatar of Lillard who can manipulate time. The character is inspired by Lillard's nickname "Dame Time".
* Klay Thompson as Wet-Fire, an elemental member of the Goon Squad and avatar of Thompson who possesses aquakinetic and pyrokinetic abilities in his two respective forms similar to Hydro-Man and Human Torch while also being able to combine those abilities like when he gave a fiery thumbs up in his water form. The character is inspired in part by the "Splash Brothers" nickname given to the duo of Thompson and Stephen Curry. The water powers represent his ability to shoot threes and the fire represents him going all out when he plays.
* Nneka Ogwumike as Arachnneka, a red and black member of the Goon Squad and avatar of Ogwumike with a spider-like appearance and abilities.
* Diana Taurasi as White Mamba, a Nāga-like member of the Goon Squad and avatar of Taurasi. The character is inspired by Taurasi's eponymous nickname.
* Kimberly Brooks as Additional Voices

In addition to voicing and providing motion capture for the Goon Squad, Davis, Lillard, Thompson, Ogwumike and Taurasi appear as themselves in live-action cameos when Dom meets them at a gathering attended by LeBron.

*Looney Tunes* characters who appear in non-speaking roles include Chilly Willy, Wile E. Coyote, Gossamer, K-9, Charlie Dog, The Three Bears, Scrooge McDuck, Witch Hazel, Sam Sheepdog, Secret Squirrel, Playboy Penguin, and Buzz Buzzard. Pluto, Yosemite Sam, Granny and Penelope Pussycat were present in the film's merchandising and advertising as part of the Tune Squad, but do not appear in the film proper.

### Disney references

The Disney Serververse prominently features, the film incorporates numerous references to other Disney properties depicted as planets. Major properties directly named include Walt Disney Animation Studios films, *Star Wars*, *Tron*, Pixar Animation Studios films, Disney Channel and Disney XD sitcoms, 20th Century Studios films, *Once Upon a Time*, *Indiana Jones*, Winnie the Pooh, *Pirates of the Caribbean*, *Turner & Hooch*, *Futurama*, *High School Musical*, *Gravity Falls*, The Muppets, and Marvel Comics. It also includes references to its standalone predecessor.

## Trivia

* For a list of easter eggs, click here.
* The first proposal for a sequel was a direct-to-video film that would have featured competition between Michael Jordan and the Tunes up against Berserk-O!, a new alien villain who was planned to be voiced by Mel Brooks. Ultimately, Jordan didn't agree to return, for a producer lied about his involvement.
* In The First Look teaser on Xbox, the Looney Tunes appear as they did in the first *Space Jam* rather than their current incarnations in *Looney Tunes Cartoons* on Disney+.
* On April 3, 2021, the first trailer was released online and revealed a number of references and cameos of characters from franchises owned by Disney, including Marvel Comics, Winnie the Pooh, Star Wars, Tron, The Muppets, Disney Channel's original series, and Pinky and the Brain, as well as films such as the Walt Disney Animated Classics films, Pixar films, *Baby's Day Out*, *Who Framed Roger Rabbit*, Disney's live-action remakes, *Hocus Pocus*, *Mary Poppins*, *The Parent Trap*, *Enchanted*, *The Odd Life of Timothy Green*, *Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day*, and *Napoleon and Samantha*, among many others.
* This is the first *Looney Tunes* production since 2013's *Mice and Ducks Run: A Looney Tunes Movie* to depict Daffy Duck in his incarnation from Chuck Jones' 1950s "Donald vs. Daffy" shorts.
* The "Big Chungus" Bugs Bunny imitation from "Donald's Wabbit Trouble" is imitated by Mickey for a few seconds while trying to convince LeBron James (after he and Minnie disguised him as Sylvester) into chasing him.
* Porky Pig's rap battle uses the same beat as the song "Flava In Ya Ear" by Craig Mack.