In a stunning announcement Tuesday, it was announced that Terence Nance has departed as the director for Space Jam 2, the upcoming sequel to the 1996 cult classic that will see NBA star LeBron James as the lead.

Taking over the directorial reins from Nance will be Malcolm D. Lee, who most recently directed the 2017 box office juggernaut Girls’ Trip and 2018’s Night School, both of which starred Tiffany Haddish. Lee seems apt for the job, given that Girls Trip is one of the biggest comedy flicks in recent memory, both commercially and critically and Night School was last year’s best opening gross for a studio comedy. 

Reportedly, Nance’s exit from Space Jam 2 was “amicable” and the reasons for the departure were attributed differences in creative visions between the director and the movie’s producers. Nance burst onto the scene in 2012 with the Sundance indie darling An Oversimplification Of Her Beauty, his feature film directorial debut. He is also known as the creator of the HBO sketch show Random Acts Of Flyness, which was renewed for a second season. 

Space Jam 2, which is set to be released on July 16, 2021, will also star Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle and Sonequa Martin-Green.

The movie will be produced by LeBron James under his production company Spring Hill Entertainment, Justin Lin and Ryan Coogler.

   

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‘Space Jam 2’: Here’s Why Steph Curry, Kevin Durant And James Harden Aren’t Joining The Film, Now Scripted By Ryan Coogler

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‘Space Jam 2’: Sonequa Martin-Green Joins LeBron James In Sequel, Will Play His Wife

LeBron James Reveals When ‘Space Jam 2’ Will Start Filming

‘Space Jam 2’: Terence Nance Confirmed To Direct LeBron James In Film, Ryan Coogler To Produce

‘Black Panther 2’: Ryan Coogler Closes Deal To Write And Direct Sequel

Looking Back At The Legacy Of ‘Space Jam,’ 23 Years Later

 

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