Update 06/25/2019 11:27am:

Although production on the upcoming sequel is said to officially be full steam ahead, one NBA legend and actor from the first film has made no secret about not looking forward to it. 

Back in 2018, Charles Barkley expressed his disinterest with the film at the annual NBA Awards, and sure enough a year later his opinion hasn't changed at all. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight on whether he's warmed up to the film due to its notable recruits in Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Chris Paul, and Damian Lillard along with its star LeBron James, the former league MVP and 11x All-Star simply said: "not at all."

From there, after being told that famed director Ryan Coogler was involved with the film, Barkley said “Well, listen, I don’t care. Space Jam 1 was amazing. We don’t need two.” Later on, he added that "Space Jam 1 was a classic, I don’t like when people try to imitate something that was already good.”

All the same, King James himself couldn't be more thrilled about all the film's new developments, writing on Twitter on Monday: "Man this really just hit me! I’m really shooting Space Jam 2!! This is so surreal and doesn’t even make sense to me! Where I come from man and what I saw growing up this doesn’t add up to me! ! I’m truly grateful and beyond blessed. This is CRAZINESS."

Filming on the sequel is expected to begin in July and is currently set for a July 16, 2021 release date.

Source: EntertainmentTonight 

Update 06/20/2019 9:24am:

As the scheduled release date gets closer for the long-awaited "Space Jam 2," it's just been confirmed that LeBron James will not be alone as he tries to recreate the magic from the original film. 

Sure enough, King James will be joined by Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, and even his new teammate in Anthony Davis for the sequel, in addition to WNBA stars Diana Taurasi and the Ogwumike sisters, Nneka and Chiney, who play together on the Los Angeles Sparks.

As we all remember, in the 1996 "Space Jam" Michael Jordan was accompanied by Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, Larry Johnson, Muggsy Bogues, Shawn Bradley, and all of the Looney Tunes as they faced off against the Monstars, while the new film is said to focus less on "a Dream Team of hoops luminaries" and more on LeBron's family arc where a yet-to-be-cast teen character will play the second lead.

Filming for "Space Jam 2" is set to begin in July.

Source: HotNewHipHop

Original 06/10/2019 3:23pm:

Although it had previously been reported that LeBron James was having trouble recruiting other NBA stars to join him for Space Jam 2, it's just been revealed that he's finally received his first commitment through Klay Thompson.

"Everybody thinks (Klay) is probably staying with the Warriors, and I would agree with that," Fox Sports' James McIntyre recently said on the record, "But I heard some news this week that could change things... that Klay Thompson is now locked in to do 'Space Jam 2.'

McIntyre further elaborated to say "I don't think that news is anywhere. I Googled it last night, I went on the Internet. Nobody has it. I do believe an announcement will come out after the Finals that Klay Thompson is committed to 'Space Jam 2,' he will be in the movie." Interestingly enough, Thompson will be a free agent this summer and would seemingly be a great fit for the Los Angeles Lakers, whereas this collaboration may likely play a part in his decision. 

Meanwhile, it should be noted that Giannis Antetokounmpo previously turned down a role in the sequel, as did Steph Curry, James Harden, and Kevin Durant over brand affiliations and wanting to pursue their own projects.

Nonetheless, Space Jam 2 is set to hit theatres on July 16, 2021, while Thompson and the Warriors look to avoid elimination in Game 5 tonight at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. 

Source: HotNewHipHop