Space Jam 2: Justin Lin Offers Sequel Update

The Fast and Furious director discusses the challenges of making a sequel 20 years later.

By Jonathon Dornbush

Though word first broke of Space Jam 2 back in 2014, Director Justin Lin isn't looking to rush Space Jam 2 into theaters.

Instead, the director explained to IGN at the Television Critics Association Press Tour while promoting his upcoming CBS series S.W.A.T., that he asked Warner Bros. "for a playground and the time to really explore [the possibilities of a sequel], and that's what we've been doing so far."

Having gone through several different versions of the film in planning, Lin, who reports said was attached to the film back in May of 2016, says there are a few challenges inherent in the production that he has been working through as part of that exploration process.

Justin Lin on the set of Star Trek Beyond.

"...We have actors who are also professional athletes, so schedule is something that's tough," Lin said when asked about factoring in LeBron James, who reports have said is taking a lead role as Michael Jordan did in the original. "I've been really wanting to push that genre but to do that you need the right amount of time. so there's a logistical challenge.

To be able to...in a relevant way, bring the Looney Tunes back, that's something that's very important to me to do it right.

"But also creatively to do a sequel 20 years later with a new cast and also," Lin said. "So i feel like I've gone done nine different iterations already and we're going to keep going, but we're getting closer every day."

As for finding a co-star to James who could match Bill Murray's presence in the original, Lin said the search for other major actors shouldn't be much of an issue.

"There are so many sports and also Space Jam fans. I just run into them, and everybody's volunteering to be in the movie," Lin said.

Declining to say whether the villainous team from the original film, The Monstars, would return, Lin said he's simply taking his time and "going through different iterations" of the film to find the right story to tell.

For more on Space Jam 2, find out why Joe Pytka, the director behind the original, doesn't think a sequel is a good idea and went so far as to say the project is "doomed."

Reporting by Terri Schwartz.

Jonathon Dornbush is an Associate Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

Let's block ads! (Why?)