Wade early favorite for ‘Space Jam’ sequel role
MIAMI — Perhaps it is best that Dwyane Wade is retiring after this season. That way his talents being lost to the Monstars won’t be of concern going forward to the Miami Heat.
In the wake of this week’s revelation that the longawaited “Space Jam” sequel is about to become reality, with LeBron James teaming with “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler for the follow-up to the 1996 Michael JordanBugs Bunny film, have come odds for leading men from Bookmaker.eu.
The favorite to line up alongside James? None other than Heat championship teammate Wade, who earlier this week announced that his upcoming 16th NBA season would be his last.
The line offered Thursday by Bookmaker.eu: Dwyane Wade -300 Kevin Durant -200 Steph Curry -150 Carmelo Anthony +125 Kobe Bryant +150 Jimmy Butler +200 Shaquille O’Neal +250 Lance Stephenson +400 Charles Barkley +450 Kyrie Irving +450 Delonte West +25000 While the West inclusion likely was intended as humorous, in the wake of previous publicized differences, a Stephenson turn, even as a long-time rival, might not be as farfetched, with the two to now be teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James told the Hollywood Reporter earlier this week, “The Space Jam collaboration is so much more than just me and the Looney Tunes getting together and doing this movie. It’s so much bigger. I’d just love for kids to understand how empowered they can feel and how empowered they can be if they don’t just give up on their dreams.”
It will be James’ first film since 2015’s “Trainwreck” alongside Amy Schumer.
Wade has appeared in several films, mostly in cameo roles, including “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” (2012), “Shot in the Dark” (2017) and “Just Wright” (2010).
Wade also has appeared in television episodes of Oprah’s Lifeclass, HGTV All-Star Flip, Live With Kelly and Ryan, Live With Kelly, Austin & Ally, Bowling Night, Late Night With Seth Meyers, Good Morning America, The Queen Latifah Show, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Show with David Letterman, The View, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, One on One With Ahmad Rashad, Homecoming With Rick Reilly, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Charlie Rose, All-Star Aquariums, Chicagoland, Deal or No Deal, with a voiceover in The Cleveland Show.
Wade is married to actress Gabrielle Union, with the couple often vacationing with James.