It’s been 25 years since the original Space Jam hit theaters. The animated sci-fi film, released in 1996, brought together the worlds of the NBA and Looney Tunes, with Michael Jordan as the vehicle’s star. Jordan, along with comedy legend Bill Murray and the iconic Bugs Bunny, battled the Mon-Stars on the court.
The sequel is set to star LeBron James, king of the NBA these days, and recent Star Wars alum Daisy Ridley. But it’ll need more star power than that. The original boasted Jordan, as well as other NBA stars Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Muggsy Bogues, Larry Johnson and Shawn Bradley. In 2019, Business Insider revealed that the cast could include Anthony Davis Damian Lillard, the WBNA's Diana Taurasi. But there will need to be more than that.
Here’s a look at 16 players we need to see in Space Jam 2 when it hits theaters in 2021.
16 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo is the NBA’s reigning MVP, and he was on track to take home another trophy prior to the NBA’s shuttering. Giannis is among the league’s most recognizable faces, but he could leave the Bucks for brighter lights as a free agent.
At 6’11”, 242-pounds, Antetokounmpo is quite literally a ‘Greek freak.’ The original Space Jam sported some of the most distinctive looking players, and in today’s NBA, Giannis is certainly that.
15 Anthony Davis
Already mentioned among the current NBA stars signed up for the sequel, Anthony Davis is a no-brainer to join LeBron James in the film. After a blockbuster trade that reshaped two franchises, Davis joined James in Los Angeles in pursuit of his first NBA championship.
But the move to Hollywood also afforded Davis the opportunity to seek additional off-court endorsements. Joining James in Space Jam 2 will no doubt elevate the ‘Brow’s’ Q-Rating.
14 Boban Marjanović
Boban Marjanović is a backup center for the Dallas Mavericks. While he’s mostly a bit-player in the league, Boban has a cult following among the fans thanks to his distinctive look and social media presence.
At 7-foot-4, Boban is the second-tallest player in the NBA these days. The Serbian-born big man would fit right in on the big screen. In 2019, Boban played an assassin in the action thriller John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum.
13 Tacko Fall
The original Space Jam featured in the tallest player in the NBA at that time, Shawn Bradley. At 7-foot-6, Bradley towered over his contemporaries, so including him in the film was a no-brainer. That same logic should apply to Tacko Fall.
Fall is currently the tallest player in the league at 7-foot-5. The Senegal native is a rookie and split time this season between the Boston Celtics and their developmental team, the Maine Red Claws.
12 Isaiah Thomas
Not only did Space Jam sport the league’s tallest player in Shawn Bradley, but it also starred he NBA’s shortest, Muggsy Bogues. At 5-foot-3, Bogues is the shortest player to ever play in the NBA.
These days, Isaiah Thomas is the most diminutive player in the league. At 5-foot-9, Thomas is the shortest player to make multiple All-Star games and shortest to record a triple-double. His distinctive headband look would translate well to the animated screen.
11 Stephen Curry
LeBron James is unquestionably the face of the NBA these days. But right behind him is All-NBA shooter Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. James boasts a league-high 46 million followers on Instagram, but Curry sports the second-most Instagram followers (23.4 million).
Curry’s babyface and infectious charisma would translate to the silver screen. Curry also has experience in Hollywood, as his production company "Unanimous Media" has a multi-year multimedia deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment.
10 Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard signed a three-year deal with the Clippers this offseason. The LA native returned home as a two-time NBA champion and Defensive Player of the Year. Leonard’s quiet and private demeanor might not seem like a match for Hollywood, but if Space Jam 2 is looking for the league’s best, Leonard is one.
With a nickname like the ‘Klaw,’ animators could have a lot of fun with creating a stoic cartoon version of Kawhi.
9 Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is a red-carpet regular. Known for his aggressive play, Westbrook has been at the top of the league for years. His distinctive fashion sense and creative flair has led to some outlandish looks pre- and post-game.
Westbrook’s addition to Space Jam 2 would lend the production not only one of the most productive players in the game, but also one of its most creative. Westbrook’s experience includes starring in Mountain Dew commercials.
8 James Harden
The original Space Jam film didn’t bring in the NBA’s best players, per say. Yes, it had Michael Jordan, but some the other NBA stars in the motion picture weren’t even All-Stars. They were chosen because of their distinctive looks.
Adding James Harden would give Space Jam 2 not only one of the best players in the league, but also one of its most unique. The ‘Beard’ is instantly recognizable to any basketball fan.
7 Trae Young
If the Space Jam franchise is to continue beyond the sequel, producers should already consider who the next stars might be. Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks is one of the league’s most exciting young players.
Despite a small frame and a notable tuft of hair atop his head, Young’s already been an All-Star and is destined for stardom. Young was featured in the second season of the Young Hollywood documentary-series "Rookie on the Rise."
6 Zion Williamson
The 2019 No. 1 overall pick, Zion Williamson is among the rookies taking the league by storm. Zion is a mix of power and gravity-defying grace. His arrival in the NBA was among the most anticipated in league history.
Sure, Zion is among the most exciting young players in the game today, but his stout frame and easy smile seem custom-made for a Hollywood transition. Who can’t see an animated Zion dunking on the big screen?
5 Kevin Durant
The league last saw Kevin Durnat on the court in the 2019 NBA Finals, but an Achilles injury robbed fans of seeing KD don his new Brooklyn Nets’ uniform this season. One of the most popular and best players in the league, Durant has an infectious smile and slender frame that would play well as a cartoon.
Durant even has some acting experience, as he starred in the 2012 film Thunderstruck.
4 Joel Embiid
Another of the league’s top young talents, Joel Embiid stars in Philadelphia as a member of the 76ers. He’s a three-time All-Star and All-NBA player. The Cameroonian native is known for his playful personality and social media presence, in addition to his dominant play on the court.
Embiid could transition to the big screen easily. He has some acting experience, as he was part of the “Hulu has live sports” ad campaign recently.
3 Steven Adams
If the goal of the original Space Jam film was to collect some of the most distinctive looking basketball players, it did that with the additions of Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Shawn Bradley and Muggsy Bogues to the cast.
If Space Jam 2 is looking to do the same, producers should look no further than Oklahoma City, where Thunder center Steven Adams plays. With tattoos and facial hair, Adams looks the part of a modern-day Mon-Star.
2 Patrick Beverley
If there’s ever been a player in the NBA that should be a cartoon character, it’s Los Angeles Clippers’ player Patrick Beverley. The 6-foot-1 guard is a dogged defender and one of the biggest on-court personalities in the league today.
There’s little doubt that Beverley’s pit-bull mentality couldn’t make it on the big screen. His personality and grit would make a compelling cartoon character, much like his performance in the 2007 documentary Hoop Reality.
1 Bam Adebayo
The Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo made his first NBA All-Star team this season. The talented and fun-loving big man has re-energized fans along South Beach. Adebayo’s infectious and gregarious personality has shone through this season.
Adebayo’s addition to the Space Jam 2 picture might be necessary for the distinctive nature of his first name: Bam. He’s also an up-and-coming star in the league, so the film would be betting on his future, much like the Heat.