The sequel to a beloved 1990s favorite isn’t exactly the type of movie that typically invites controversy, but Space Jam: A New Legacy has been embroiled in several online furors over the last few months, and the latest involves a tweet from star LeBron James.
James’ social media post was interpreted by some as a threat being made to the police in the wake of a recent shooting in Columbus, Ohio. While the NBA star has since deleted the tweet in question and followed it up with two more statements explaining why he reacted in the way he did, it’s still been enough to get people talking.
First off, though, here are those aforementioned statements:
ANGER does any of us any good and that includes myself! Gathering all the facts and educating does though! My anger still is here for what happened that lil girl. My sympathy for her family and may justice prevail! 🙏🏾✊🏾🤎👑
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 21, 2021
I’m so damn tired of seeing Black people killed by police. I took the tweet down because its being used to create more hate -This isn’t about one officer. it’s about the entire system and they always use our words to create more racism. I am so desperate for more ACCOUNTABILITY
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 21, 2021
And here are some of the reactions going around on Twitter:
Boycott Space Jam
Lebron threatens police
— No Bailouts Poso 🚫💰 (@JackPosobiec) April 21, 2021
Massa Lebron (he is a slave owner) is clueless. Maybe he is next. Boycott space jam nba and Nike
— Pappy (@_40dancingbear) April 23, 2021
LeBron James needs to be sent a message. Boycott his upcoming Space Jam film.
— underoath79 (@RhamilRod) April 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/RIRepublicans/status/1385004168033755142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1385004168033755142%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.screengeek.net%2F2021%2F04%2F23%2Fspace-jam-a-new-legacy-boycott%2F
Some people want to boycott Space Jam because of Lebron James.
Some people want to boycott Space Jam because of Lola's redesign.
It's your time and money; do what you want. https://t.co/hTdN0HGTSS
— Burnouts3 (@Burnouts3s3) April 21, 2021
Just you saying boycott space jam has motivated me to want to watch it. Thanks for the AD.
— Donab (@___D_B___) April 22, 2021
Boycott Space Jam 2? Sounds like a good idea to me. It’s probably going to suck anyway.
— Gumpster (@kshirey1) April 22, 2021
@KingJames these are Lebrons endorsements…time to start the boycott:
Nike, McDonald's, Blaze Pizza, Beats Electronics, Sprite, Upper Deck, State Farm Insurance, Audemars Piguet, Dunkin' Donuts, Samsung, Kia, Verizon, Intel. Also boycott Space Jam 2.— Eric Whitaker (@elwhit27) April 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/MagaCatfishes/status/1385060781784449027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1385060781784449027%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.screengeek.net%2F2021%2F04%2F23%2Fspace-jam-a-new-legacy-boycott%2F
https://twitter.com/YtMankerrr/status/1385022147165368322?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1385022147165368322%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.screengeek.net%2F2021%2F04%2F23%2Fspace-jam-a-new-legacy-boycott%2F
Boycott Space Jam: A New Legacy #BoycottSpaceJam. Lebron James is in it, he threatened a police officers life #BackTheBlue #BlueLivesMatter @spacejammovie
— Cathleen (@cathleen_huston) April 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/Pieropatriot221/status/1385066242315153412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1385066242315153412%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.screengeek.net%2F2021%2F04%2F23%2Fspace-jam-a-new-legacy-boycott%2F
https://twitter.com/NoahPBPerkins/status/1385025605310185473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1385025605310185473%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.screengeek.net%2F2021%2F04%2F23%2Fspace-jam-a-new-legacy-boycott%2F
Boycott Space Jam
Let's get it trending https://t.co/zSEy6HMJeJ
— Miguel Rodriguez (@itsMiguel_Rod) April 21, 2021
I’d say boycott #SpaceJam but I’m pretty sure nobody’s gonna see that pile of shit anyway. pic.twitter.com/FG0ti7A7in
— Danny H. Obgoblin (@BabyBiird) April 21, 2021
Boycott Space Jam #boycotspacejam
— matt (@matt_a2006) April 21, 2021
Boycott Space Jam 2. Don't give Warner Brothers a penny. @KingJames hates the police and threatened the life of a cop today, then deleted the tweet, like a coward.
— Jen and Don (@jenanddonshow) April 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/usa67us/status/1384999939491565568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1384999939491565568%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.screengeek.net%2F2021%2F04%2F23%2Fspace-jam-a-new-legacy-boycott%2F
This is just the latest bout of adverse publicity to strike Space Jam: A New Legacy, although the previous headlines grabbed by the live-action/CGI sports comedy weren’t quite as serious. There was the whole Pepé Le Pew fiasco, with some people clutching their pearls in indignation that the amorous animated skunk had been dropped from the movie despite nobody caring in the slightest until the news became public, as well as the altogether more bizarre discourse surrounding the de-sexualization of Lola Bunny.
Then the team behind A New Legacy found themselves accused of double standards after cutting Pepé but including the Droogs from A Clockwork Orange despite their unsavory antics in Stanley Kubrick’s classic film, but the leading man coming under fire and facing accusations of issuing threats to law enforcement is a whole different ball game, no pun intended.
In any case, Space Jam: A New Legacy is coming to theaters and HBO Max on July 16th, so we’ll just have to wait until then to see if the box office numbers end up being affected by the calls for a boycott.
