We've been hearing the rumors circulate for more than a year now that there will be a sequel to the box office hit movie "Space Jam." While some are eager to watch a remake of the 1996 animated comedy that starred Michael Jordan, there are also some who feel it would be an insult to the original.
Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson falls in the latter category. He took to The Players' Tribune to voice his opposition to a potential "Space Jam 2."
"I'm going to touch on something pretty controversial here, something that means a whole lot to millions of people. But I can't be silent any longer.
"Please, please, Hollywood, I'm pleading with you, do not make Space Jam 2."
Patterson believes it would take too much to re-create the "cinematic experience."
"I'm a huge movie fan. Movies are a big part of my life. This summer I even had the opportunity to help cover the Toronto International Film Festival for the CBC. So please know that I don't say this lightly: The original Space Jam is the perfect movie. The. Perfect. Movie."
He goes on to say Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes characters aren't as popular anymore. For the kids' sake, characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick would have to fill that void. Patterson also doesn't think the cast would be as entertaining. As we know, LeBron James has been mentioned to play the Jordan role. But Patterson doesn't believe someone like Bill Murray, who displayed some impressive basketball skills during the movie, can be replaced.
He has a point. No one wants to see the sequel to such a classic fail to live up to the hype. But if the movie finally hits theaters, even Patterson knows he'd probably be in attendance.
"Look, I get why they want to make a sequel. The money will be insane. I mean, I'm straight up saying I don't want Space Jam 2 to get made, but I know that I'll see it regardless. That's how loyal the Space Jam fan base is," Patterson said.
The original is set to make an appearance in select theaters for its 20th anniversary on Nov. 13 and 16. And that could be as close as we get to seeing "Space Jam" hit the big screen again.
-- Josiah Turner