Space Jam 2 release date: Cast, trailer and news for LeBron James sequel

If you want a taste for just how mad things are going to get – check out the below clip, which sees James and Bugs Bunny travel DC World and assume the roles of none other than Barman and Robin. If this is anything to go by, we cam expect Warner Bros to make full use of all their staple of well-known characters in the film.

There are a few new faces in this film as well, with a redesigned Lola Bunny now voiced by global superstar Zendaya (Spider-Man: No Way Home), with a new spoof documentary showcasing her vocal performance for the first time.

That's not to mention Lola's key role in the second trailer, which showcased more of the all-important basketball game and saw a cameo from Wile E. Coyote.

The cameo that everyone is really hoping for though is from the first film's star Michael Jordan - and Don Cheadle has hinted that an appearance from the NBA legend might just be happening...

Read on for everything you need to know about Space Jam 2.

Space Jam 2 release date

Back in February 2019, Springhill Entertainment – the company founded by athlete LeBron James – announced that Space Jam 2 would be released on 16th July, 2021.

Production on the film wrapped in September 2019 and as of yet, there's been no delays announced in relation to the pandemic – however, Warner Bros recently revealed that it would be releasing its complete slate of 2021 films via HBO Max in the US as well as theatres.

Therefore, Space Jam: A New Legacy will be arriving both on HBO Max and in cinemas in July 2021. As HBO Max isn't currently available in the UK, Space Jam: A New Legacy will only be available in cinemas and will be releasing on the same day as the US: Friday 16th July 2021. (You can read our Space Jam 2 review now to find out if it was worth the wait.)

The release date means that there will have been a 25-year gap between the 1996 original and the sequel, making the new movie a bit of an anniversary project as well.

Space Jam 2 trailer

The first full-length trailer for Space Jam 2, also known as A New Legacy, has arrived and it does not disappoint, with Lebron James and the Looney Tunes gang on fine form.

There are plenty of other pop culture references and easter eggs to seek out in the action-packed trailer, so take a look below and see what you can find.

A second trailer gave some of the supporting Looney Tunes a chance to shine, and gave us more of a glimpse of the rather heightened basketball game:

Space Jam 2 cast

There are some impressive names joining the cast for the film – read on for all the biggest stars.

LeBron James plays himself

The first star confirmed was American pro basketball player LeBron James, who is set to take over the role in the story that fellow legend Michael Jordan had in the original movie. In the film, James will find himself forced to partake in a basketball match with various toons in an attempt to save his son. It is not the first time James has played himself – he previously featured in the 2015 comedy flick Trainwreck.

Don Cheadle plays Al-G Rhythm

Avengers: Endgame star Don Cheadle plays the film's villain – a sentient computer named AI-G Rhythm, who is the tyrannical leader of a virtual space called. Warner 3000 Server-Verse. Cheadle's previous credits include Boogie Nights, The Oceans Trilogy and Hotel Rwanda.

Sonequa Martin-Green plays Kamiyah

Kamiyah is a fictionalised version of the real-life Savannah James – LeBron's wife. Sonequa Martin-Green is most well-known for her leading role as Michael Burnham on Star Trek: Discovery, and has also appeared on The Walking Dead, Once Upon A Time and New Girl.

Cedric Joe plays Dom

Dom is LeBron's son – a fictionalised version of his real son Bryce – who dreams of becoming a video game developer but finds himself trapped in the Warner 3000 Server-Verse, taken captive by Al-G Rythm. This is by far Joe's biggest role to date but he did previously appear in an episode of Modern Family in 2017.

Ceyair J Wright plays Darius

Darius is a fictionalised version of LeBron "Bronny" James Jr., LeBron's eldest son. Wright has previously appeared in Two Broke Girls and the Training Day TV show.

Harper Leigh Alexander plays Xosha

Xosha is a fictionalised version of Zhuri James, LeBron's daughter. This is Alexander's first major screen credit.

Basketball prosKlay Thompson, Damian Lillard, Anthony Davis, Diana Taurasi, Nneka Ogwumike, Kyrie Irving, Chris Paul, Draymond Green, Damian Lillard, Anthony Davis, Kyle Kuzma and Chiney Ogwumike will also be making cameo appearances in the film, which was filmed during the last two NBA off-seasons – the first five of them voicing members of The Goon Squad.

And reportedly NBA legend Michael Jordan – the star of the first film – will also appear.

Looney Tunes characters

A host of Looney Tunes characters will also appear, including Bugs Bunny, Tweety Bird, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig while Lola Bunny has been given a make-over for the film.

Director Malcolm D. Lee explained the change in character design, telling Entertainment Weekly: "Lola [Bunny] was very sexualised, like Betty Boop mixed with Jessica Rabbit. Lola was not politically correct... This is a kids' movie, why is she in a crop top? It just felt unnecessary, but at the same time there's a long history of that in cartoons."

Euphoria and Spider-Man star Zendaya will provide the voice of Lola Bunny, in a change from the original movie where she was played by actress Kath Soucie.

However, Pepe Le Pew, the skunk known for constant romantic pursuit of Penelope Pussycat in the Looney Tunes cartoons, won't be appearing in the upcoming sequel. According to Deadline, a scene featuring the character and Greice Santo, in which the Jane the Virgin star teaches him a lesson about consent, was cut from the film. RadioTimes.com has reached out to Warner Bros for comment.

The voice cast is listed below:

• Jeff Bergman as Bugs Bunny, Sylvester, Yosemite Sam, Yogi Bear, and Fred Flintstone
• Eric Bauza as Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, and Marvin the Martian
• Zendaya as Lola Bunny
• Bob Bergen as Tweety
• Jim Cummings as the Tasmanian Devil
• Gabriel Iglesias as Speedy Gonzales
• Candi Milo as Granny
• Paul Julian (archive recordings) as the Road Runner

Is Michael Jordan in Space Jam 2?

As the star of the original 1996 Space Jam - not to mention his status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time - there has been speculation that Michael Jordan will appear in the belated sequel ever since it was announced.

The 58-year-old has long since retired from basketball and LeBron James is taking his place as the film's NBA star, but hopes are still high for a cameo - and we may just be in luck.

AI-G Rhythm actor Don Cheadle confirmed during an interview with Access Hollywood that Michael Jordan was indeed in the film, but "not in the way you'd expect it".

Given that Jordan long refused to do a sequel to Space Jam, it remains to be seen if the legendary player has actually shot new footage for the film, or if he will simply appear in a photograph or flashback of the first movie. There are also rumours that Cheadle could be referring to a cameo from Michael B. Jordan instead...

What’s the plot of Space Jam 2?

Space Jam 2 centres around basketball legend LeBron James, who becomes trapped in a virtual world with his son Dom (Cedric Joe) when captured by sinister algorithm AI-G Rhythm (Don Cheadle). He must enlist the help of Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Lola Bunny and the rest of the Warner Brothers gang in taking on AI-G's digital champions on the basketball court.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly about the upcoming sequel, producer Ryan Coogler said: "The general idea was the examination of Black fatherhood and how fatherhood could be unique to Lebron James specifically.

"There are parents who want to push their kids to do certain things because this is what they do, but sometimes you have to look into a kid and be able to have an open mind and ear to help them become the thing they've dreamed of."

Following Michael Jordan's Emmy-winning The Last Dance documentary, we learnt more of Space Jam: A New Legacy's plot thanks to a spoof documentary from Warner Bros and ESPN.

Titled The Bunny & The GOAT, the teaser features interviews with stars of the film such as Lebron James and Don Cheadle - as well as the first reveal of Zendaya's voice performance as Lola Bunny.

The mockumentary is full of wacky jokes and basketball references, but James does actually provide a rather succinct summary of the film during the promo.

"Basically, what happened was, an evil algorithm took my son. I took that personally," James said in the clip.

"So I had to team up with the Looney Tunes in another dimension so I could get my son back, simultaneously saving the Looney Tunes and their world."

• For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides.

Who’s making Space Jam 2?

Black Panther director Ryan Coogler is producing the movie and also has a writing credit alongside previous collaborator Sev Ohanian, while it will be directed by Malcolm D. Lee (Girls Trip) – after previous director Terrence Nance stepped aside in June 2019.

Can I watch the 2 Unlimited Get Ready for This video?

You mean the Space Jam song? Go on then...

Space Jam 2: A New Legacy will be released in cinemas on Friday, 16th July, 2021. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide or visit our Movies hub for the latest news and features.