The first look at LeBron James’ ‘Space Jam’ uniform is here

The world is still a ways away from the July 16, 2021 release date of the anticipated Space Jam sequel, but thanks to a few teasers from the LeBron James camp—including the recently revealed uniform—it seems as though this project is well on track.On August 17 the LeBron James Family Foundation revealed the colourful new uniform in a video posted to Twitter. In it, James walks towards the camera in front of a purple, pink and orange backdrop wearing bright orange kicks, shorts and the baby blue Tune Squad jersey. The logo is a take on the famous Looney Tunes bullseye rings (and is an homage to the original jersey), with the words “Tune Squad” plastered in front in bright purple. James later shared the video on his own Instagram account.

 

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Tune Squad coming soon!! ??? Glad all my @ljfamfoundation and @ipromiseschool families got to see it first. ?? Thanks for holdin it down my brother @mavcarter ???? #JustkidsfromAKRON?

A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Aug 17, 2020 at 6:33pm PDT

James is totally in character in the unveil, rolling his shoulders and stretching his neck like he’s getting ready to jam out with the rest of the Tune Squad crew. His right arm is also wrapped and he’s got his game face on. Completing the look is the white Nike swoop in the top right corner, which original Space Jam star Michael Jordan first wore via his endorsement deal with the sports company. (Nike is also the NBA’s official uniform and apparel sponsor.)In the preview James is notably wearing the number 6, which was his digit when he played for the Miami Heat and the USA National Team. However when he plays for the L.A. Lakers, he's number 23, the same number that Michael Jordan wore for the Chicago Bulls (and for the OG Tune Squad). Whether that 23 Tune Squad jersey was retired or if the number will become a plot point in the new story remains to be seen, but it would definitely be another fun inside joke for the sequel.The reveal comes a few months after James unveiled the new Space Jam: A New Legacy logo on a hat via Instagram. If that pattern is any indication, fans should hope for some other kind of exciting reveal by about November or December. Until then the jersey was all kinds of conflicting for fans, who weren’t sure if they loved or hated the updated look. Although, to be fair, it seems as though some people are still unsure of the new movie altogether.

Not my Tune Squad pic.twitter.com/VzLAJ9JasT

— Tony Digs (@ToneDigz) August 18, 2020

I didn't think this would honestly be a hot take for people to understand:

Most - if not all - Looney Tunes Fans, don't like Space Jam 1, the 2nd film can only improve from the 1st.2D Animation already tells me more about Space Jam 2's attempt than the Tune Squad jersey. pic.twitter.com/JKHAPXsBZu— ZakaZ (@ZakaZ96) August 18, 2020

LEBRON ROCKING THE TUNE SQUAD JERSEH ? OH MY pic.twitter.com/WN56FOSGTM

— Sami Jarjour (@JarjourSami) August 18, 2020

Space Jam: A New Legacy also stars Don Cheadle (Black Monday, Avengers: End Game) and Sonequa Martin-Green (The Walking Dead, Star Trek Discovery), and it is expected to bring back many of the original, fan-favourite Looney Tunes characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. Malcolm D. Lee, the masterful eye behind comedies Girls Trip and Night School, directs.Although James remains one of the NBA’s greats, he has also branched out in recent years with several acting gigs, like voicing Gwangi on Smallfoot and playing a heightened version of himself on Amy Schumer’s Trainwreck as the best friend of Bill Hader’s character. Behind-the-scenes he’s also been quite busy as a producer, working on bringing projects like Survivor’s Remorse, game show The Wall, and the Octavia Spencer starring Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker to life.The original Space Jam was released in 1996. In it Michael Jordan played a version of himself who was dragged into the Looney Tunes universe in order to play on their basketball team and earn their freedom from a group of aliens that had stolen the essence of popular players like Charles Barkley and Larry Johnson. (The aliens worked for an intergalactic amusement park owner played by Danny DeVito that wanted to enslave the Looney Tunes characters as attractions.) Bill Murray, Wayne Knight, and Larry Bird also made cameos.The film was panned by critics but fans loved it, and the movie made $230 million worldwide. A sequel was always planned, but when Jordan decided to focus on making his NBA comeback following a brief stint in baseball, he declined to carry forward with the franchise. Fast-forward to 25 years later, and an updated version of that original sequel vision is finally on the way.[video_embed id='-1']BEFORE YOU GO: Take a virtual ride on the 'Leviathan', Canada's tallest roller coaster[/video_embed]