Despite the presence of LeBron James, Space Jam 2 is facing difficulties in attracting further NBA All-Stars.According to The New York Times, Stephen Curry declined an invitation to make a brief appearance in the movie. This decision aligns with The Hollywood Reporter’s previous report in April, which mentioned that James Harden and Kevin Durant were also unlikely to be featured in the sequel to the 1996 film involving Michael Jordan and basketball-playing aliens.
During an interview with Times NBA reporter Sopan Deb, Curry clarified that he was unable to participate in the Warner Bros. film owing to conflicts in his schedule. “I am aware that LeBron and producer Ryan Coogler will be engaging in remarkable endeavours.” “It will be remarkable,” Curry expressed. “Some of it was related to the activities I was involved in.” To be frank, it was solely a matter of timing. Lacking the ability to make a commitment. I possess a profound understanding of Ryan. We engaged in numerous discussions over the matter.
Curry observed that Coogler, a native of Oakland, California, was an ardent supporter of the Warriors. “He attends every playoff game,” he stated. Curry stated, “Undoubtedly, it is difficult to decline such an opportunity.” The individual’s work is exceptionally impressive.According to THR’s Tatiana Siegel’s report in April, Space Jam 2, scheduled for release in 2021, has faced challenges in attracting talented individuals, partly due to conflicts with sneaker contracts. Nike is the main brand associated with the Space Jam franchise, with the first film being based on a Nike commercial. Curry, on the other hand, has a contract with Under Armour until 2024. Harden is a spokesperson for Adidas, while Durant, who is tied with Nike, is currently focusing on his own entertainment endeavours.
In addition, it has been reported that the script devotes less screen time to NBA legends compared to the original film. The original film featured cameo appearances by NBA players such as Danny Ainge, Steve Kerr, Alonzo Mourning, Horace Grant, A.C. Green, Scottie Pippen, Charles Oakley, Luc Longley, Cedric Ceballos, Derek Harper, Vlade Divac, Brian Shaw, Jeff Malone, Bill Wennington, Anthony Miller, and Sharone Wright. Space Jam 2 will allocate a greater amount of time to James’ family, with a particular focus on a teenage lad named Dom who is expected to have a prominent role.Although he declined to participate in Space Jam 2, Curry is currently engaged in the development of his own entertainment ventures through his company, Unanimous Media, which has entered into a long-term agreement with Sony.