Space Jam 2 Star Says Michael Jordan Will Appear In An Unexpected Way

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Don Cheadle, one of the stars of Space Jam: A New Legacy, dropped some surprising news when he let slip that Michael Jordan will appear in the film, but in an unexpected way. Jordan starred in the original Space Jam film that hit theaters in 1996, where it went on to earn over $230 million worldwide. Space Jam was also hugely successful in the merchandising realm, with an estimated revenue of over $6 billion. In the film, Jordan played himself, and he was tasked with helping the Looney Tunes defeat aliens known as Monstars, who were intent on forcing the Tunes to work at their theme park.

In Space Jam: A New Legacy, LeBron James will be playing himself, and just like Jordan before him, he gets the call to action from the Looney Tunes. James will share the screen with beloved characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and the Tasmanian Devil, and he'll be joined by Cheadle, Sonequa Martin-Green, and Zendaya as Lola Bunny. The film is directed by Malcolm D. Lee, and it will release simultaneously in theaters and streaming on HBO Max on July 16.

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In a recent interview with Access Hollywood, Cheadle was asked if Jordan will appear in the new film. Cheadle answered, "Michael Jordan is in the movie...but not in the way you'd expect it." While that news is sure to excite many fans, Cheadle was quick to note that it won't be a normal cameo. He didn't elaborate any further, but he got fans' minds racing with just a few words.

Space Jam: A New Legacy is a long-awaited sequel for most fans as it comes 25 years after the original. Fans will be curious as to how Jordan pops up in the new film and how substantial the moment will be, given that Jordan was never interested in doing a sequel. It's possible that the moment will be as simple as a photo in the background, which has happened in other long-delayed sequels. The treatment of Will Smith in Independence Day: Resurgence is a glaring example of this type of cameo. However, most fans are probably hoping for something a bit more grandiose for a legend of Jordan's caliber. If Jordan were up for it, having him show up to help the Tune Squad for a single moment, much like Bill Murray did in the original film, could be a lot of fun. Given that James is animated at certain points in the trailer for the new film, the unexpected way Cheadle mentioned could also allude to Jordan appearing as an animated character.

As for how Jordan will show up in the film, though, is anyone's guess. With the film releasing in theaters and streaming the same day, it may not see the same level of success at the box office as the first film. However, rabid fans who have been waiting years are still likely to turn up to theaters in their favorite Tune Squad jersey, and even a fleeting glimpse of Jordan could bring a smile to millions. With the vast array of Looney Tunes in the film and the Space Jam title alone, the movie is poised for success. When Space Jam: A New Legacy drops on July 16th, fans will finally get to see just what Cheadle meant when Jordan pops up on the screen.