Space Jam is an iconic American film. No doubt, when the film was initially released, producers and executives could see the marketing potential that the film had. Featuring characters from Looney Toons, the film also starred basketball legend Michael Jordan.
It was only about time until the hit film spawned a sequel (or two), a pipe dream that was realized with Space Jam: A New Legacy in 2021. However, the film failed to make as big a splash at the box office. Space Jam is a franchise that could have benefitted from quick sequels. However, the ideas that were being developed might hurt the franchise, if nothing else.
Also Read: Here’s Why Space Jam: A New Legacy Is Bashed By Critics
Jackie Chan was supposed to get a Space Jam film
The two sequels that were to follow Space Jam had two wildly different stories being developed. Jackie Chan was in talks of headlining a sequel, titled Spy Jam, The sequel, like its predecessor, would star the Looney Toons (Buggs Bunny, Lola Bunny, Daffy Duck, and so on.) and Jackie Chan. There are no details available about the plot, but Chan was excited about the project. At the time of the negotiations, Chan was part of the Jackie Chan Adventures, an animated action-adventure series that aired on Kids WB.
Chan told EW:
“My managers are negotiating. I like cartoons. It would be very, very fun.”
A second sequel was simultaneously being developed, named Race Jam, set to star the cast of Looney Toons with American stock car race driver Jeff Gordon. While the details about this project are just as scarce, there are a myriad of other projects that were being developed by Joe Pytka, director of the original Space Jam film.
Also Read: Michael Jordan Cameo Twist In Space Jam 2 Explained
There were other sequels in production
A film starring legendary golfer Tiger Woods was in the works. Immediately following Looney Toons: Back in Action, another sequel was to be out in production starring Tony Hawk, labeled Skate Jam. All these ideas would feature Michael Jordon in a small cameo. While their ideas were being developed, all talks of sequels descended into development hell due to Looney Toons: Back in Action’s poor box office returns.
Although Space Jam: New Legacy had a disappointing box office run, director Malcolm D. Lee is already working on ideas for a third Space Jam film. Speaking to AV Club, Lee thinks, expanding from the world of basketball, Dwayne Johnson would be an interesting choice for the third film, where Buggs and the crew can switch up their basketball gear for wrestling regalia. Compared to his two predecessors in the franchise, The Rock definitely has more experience when it comes to acting and could elevate the franchise. As mentioned before, if the film series does have to expand beyond basketball, wrestling is not a bad bet at all.
