In 1996, viewers were blown away by Chicago Bulls’ legend Michael Jordan’s Hollywood debut in the iconic film Space Jam. Now, as we eagerly await the film’s sequel, TMZ has released audio of Space Jam: A New Legacy star Lebron James as he gave a heartfelt speech to cast and crew at the conclusion of 58 days of filming.
“I’m gonna be honest completely with you guys, when I found out about the project, I was like it’s Space Jam!” LeBron said in the audio clip. “It’s a movie that I grew up watching. People in the movie that I idolise. I was like absolutely, I gotta do it. There’s no way I can turn down Space Jam.”
James went on to express how fortunate he is to be where is today, referring to his childhood in growing up as the son of a young, single mother.
“I’m just a small kid from Akron, Ohio —a very small town outside of Cleveland. From a single-parent household, I’m the only child, my mother had absolutely nothing,” James told the cast and crew. “She was walking around high school when she was 16 years old and she was pregnant with me as a high school sophomore. So, I’m really not supposed to be here.”
“Growing up in the inner city, as an African-American kid, there’s no way you’re supposed to fucking make it out,” he continued. “And, the fact that I’m who I am as an African-American adult now with three kids of my own, and I made it out of the situations that I was in. This shit is like extra credit for me man.”
He then went on to thank everyone who worked on the film, saying, “Y’all say you appreciate me, but I’m shit without y’all.”
While further details of the forthcoming Space Jam flick are not yet known, it is confirmed the highly-anticipated sequel to the 1996 classic will also feature fellow NBA superstars, Damian Lillard, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis and more, as well as being written and produced by Black Panther’s Ryan Coogler.
Space Jam: A New Legacy is set to be released in 2021.
