Space Jam: A New Legacy Has a Few Clever References to Space Jam – Did You Spot Them?

Despite never outright discussing the events of the first film, both Lola and Bugs Bunny make a sly reference. When LeBron first arrives to Tune World and lets Bugs know he’s in trouble, the cartoon says, “That’s familiar,” with a cheeky look towards the audience before explaining the plot of the first film to a T. Later, as Bugs and LeBron try to convince Lola to join their team, Bugs mentions that this might be her only chance to play with a professional basketball player. Like Bugs, she replies, “Been there done that.”

Notice how I said, “A Michael Jordan,” and not just “Michael Jordan.” That’s because Michael Jordan, star of the 1996 original, doesn’t actually make an appearance in the sequel. Instead, while the Looney Tunes are arguing about what they need to beat the Goon Squad, Sylvester tells the team that he found Michael Jordan in the audience. However, it’s just actor Michael B. Jordan rather than the basketball superstar. The actor does his best to give the group a Friday Night Lights pep talk, saying, “Clear eyes, full eyes, can’t lose,” but the Looney Tunes make him leave. Another reference to the original happens during the halftime scene, where Bugs looks like he’s about to bust out some “secret stuff” as he did in the original.