The Hollywood Reporter brings word today that cult comedy White Men Can’t Jump is in line for the remake treatment via Black-ish creator Kenya Barris.
Barris is on board to write and produce the modern overhaul for 20th Century Fox alongside athletes-turned-producers Blake Griffin and Ryan Kalil. Beyond that, little is known about Barris’ vision for the remake, but we imagine it’ll hew closely to the 1992 original. The film featured Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes as a pair of con artists and hustlers who fool basketball players and streetballers into thinking that Harrelson’s Billy Hoyle is a no-good schmuck. One thing Billy struggles with, though, is the iconic dunk shot, leading Snipes’ Sidney Deane to coin the term White Men Can’t Jump.
Now approaching its 25th anniversary, Ron Shelton’s sports comedy became something of a sleeper hit when it was first released back in ’92, going on to gross $90 million worldwide. In those intervening years, speculation was rife that 20th Century Fox would fast-track a sequel or some form of continuation, but it now appears the studio has decided to go down the route of an out-and-out remake.
Securing Kenya Barris for the gig is a major coup for the studio, particularly when you factor in the landmark success of his Black-ish series. After landing a handful of Emmy nominations, the show was awarded a Golden Globe for its star Tracee Ellis Ross. Outside of television, Barris is also attached to New Line’s gestating Shaft remake.
So, there you have it; White Men Can’t Jump is officially ready to get back in the game. No word yet on potential casting, but we’ll keep you right up-to-date as the remake nears development.