Space Jam 2: Lebron James to star in sequel with Black Panther director Ryan Coogler producing

Terence Nance will direct

After years of rumours, LeBron James has officially been confirmed as the leading star of Space Jam 2.

The basketball player’s production company, SpringHill Entertainment, announced the sequel to the Michael Jordan-Bugs Bunny blockbuster on Instagram.

Black Panther director Ryan Coogler will produce the movie, with Terence Nance – creator of HBO’s Random Acts of Flyness – directing.

The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Warner Bros has tentatively slated the movie for a 2019 release date, during the NBA off-season.

Space Jam 2 will mark LeBron’s second high-profile acting role, having previously won adoration for his role alongside Amy Schumur in 2015’s Trainwreck.

Speaking about Coogler, James said he “loved his vision” for Black Panther, adding that when growing up there were no black superheroes to admire: “So for Ryan to be able to bring that to kids, it’s amazing.”

He continued: “The Space Jam collaboration is so much more than just me and the Looney Tunes getting together and doing this movie. It’s so much bigger.

“I’d just love for kids to understand how empowered they can feel and how empowered they can be if they don’t just give up on their dreams. And I think Ryan did that for a lot of people.”

Coogler has quickly become one of Hollywood’s most sought after creatives, having scored huge success for both Black Panther and Creed.

The original Space Jam sees Jordan helps Bugs Bunny and other animated characters beat a team of aliens in a basketball match.