25 years later, Space Jam is getting a sequel. Warner Bros. has been working on a follow-up to the hit 1996 film starring Michael Jordan for ages, and now Space Jam: A New Legacy is finally almost here. This Saturday, WB dropped the first trailer for the dream team-up between LeBron James and Bugs Bunny that we’ve all been waiting to see, and the internet is going crazy for it. It’s generating a lot of hype for paying homage to the original movie, but also expanding it in major ways.
Like Jordan before him, A New Legacy sees James sucked into the Looney Tunes’ world and forced to participate in an all-important basketball game. This time around, though, Don Cheadle’s A.I. villain has kidnapped his son and LeBron has to assemble the Tune Squad to get him back. Along the way, he’ll travel through “The ServerVerse” – AKA the Warner Bros. Multiverse – and encounter various characters from cinematic history. Sonequa Martin-Green co-stars, with Malcolm D. Lee directing.
Social media is full of reactions to the trailer, but this one probably sums up everyone’s thoughts best.
#SpaceJam2 HOLY COW!https://t.co/keO8ndc4u8
— The Raz (@TheRazMx) April 3, 2021
It’s getting a lot of applause for its visual style, blending traditional 2D animation, CG animation and live-action.
THE AESTHETIC OF THE NEW SPACE JAM LOOKS HELLA CLEAN BRO pic.twitter.com/s8xg4FhBCy
— GamesCage – Hype Guy (@GamesCage_) April 3, 2021
Comparisons to Ready Player One and Avengers: Endgame are being tossed around, too.
That #SpaceJam2 trailer was AMAZING!
Definitely getting Ready Player One & Avengers Endgame vines.
Love the little cameos like the Animaniacs tower, Danny Devito Penguin, & the Hanna Barbera characters.
Can't wait to see, also love Lola Bunny doing the Dwayne Wade meme. pic.twitter.com/J4sDCXlqJ3— Myles ❄️ (@Myles523) April 3, 2021
There’s also a lot of love for Lola Bunny right now.
Lola Bunny was my favorite part of the new Space Jam trailer 👀💕 pic.twitter.com/5osNLjHFOq
— Linkartoon🍑 (@linkartoon) April 3, 2021
Especially her Dwayne Wade impression.
I cackled so loud at this part of the #SpaceJam2 trailer that I woke my dog up. pic.twitter.com/kjkZzTTqk0
— cole kuiper (@cmkuiper) April 3, 2021
It’s become an instant meme.
It's this part for me🤗 #SpaceJam2 pic.twitter.com/WsEMC7B9eT
— Naa Adzoa 🇬🇭 (@AdzeleySannin) April 3, 2021
Hype definitely increased.
https://twitter.com/AntonioFerdi88/status/1378385284505604096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Legit love the trailer for @spacejammovie with Lebron really want to see it and still love the old Space Jam Movie with Michael Jordan
— 📿✝️🙏Rocio (@rocciorunway23) April 3, 2021
https://twitter.com/beeayeembeeeye/status/1378415573718142982
https://twitter.com/shemaria19/status/1378413132314468352
We’re all Stewie.
You can’t tell me #SpaceJam2 don’t look 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/VcSlu13uy1
— Adonis Hendrixx (@TrueBlackVelvet) April 3, 2021
There’s been some negativity surrounding the movie of late, what with the decisions to remove Pepé Le Pew and redesign Lola proving to be controversial, so the studio will be pleased that this trailer has managed to wipe all that away. Some of us have been waiting two decades and a half for it, but Space Jam: A New Legacy at long last drops in theaters and on HBO Max this July 16th.