“Space Jam: A New Legacy” premiered July 16, 2021, 25 years after the Michael Jordan original. LeBron James starred in the sequel that leaned heavily into Warner Bros. IP, receiving mixed-to-negative reviews but moderate box office success during the pandemic.

The Film

Directed by Malcolm D. Lee:

• LeBron and son trapped in Warner Bros. “Serververse”
• Must win basketball game against AI villain (Don Cheadle)
• Looney Tunes team up with LeBron
• 115 minutes of Warner Bros. IP showcase

Critical Reception

Reviews were harsh:

• Rotten Tomatoes: 26% critics, 79% audience
• Criticized as 2-hour Warner Bros. commercial
• Overuse of CGI and IP references
• Plot and pacing issues
• LeBron’s acting limitations

IP Overload

The film crammed in:

• Warner Bros. characters everywhere
• Game of Thrones, Matrix, Harry Potter references
• Clockwork Orange droogs (in kids’ movie?)
• DC superheroes
• Rick and Morty cameos

Box Office

Pandemic-era performance:

• $163 million worldwide
• HBO Max simultaneous release
• Moderate success given circumstances
• Below original’s inflation-adjusted total

LeBron vs. Jordan Debates

The film reignited:

• MJ vs. LBJ GOAT discussions
• Nostalgia for original
• Generational divide on which film was better
• Questions about athlete acting

Legacy

“A New Legacy” became example of:

• Studio IP exploitation
• Sequel diminishing returns
• Pandemic theatrical challenges
• Failure to capture original’s magic

Source: https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/space-jam-new-legacy