Image Source: Getty / JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX
Welcome to the Space Jam, Zendaya! On April 3, Entertainment Weekly announced the Euphoria actress will voice iconic character Lola Bunny in Space Jam: A New Legacy with LeBron James. Zendaya will be part of the effort to evolve Lola past her 1993 image, as director Malcolm D. Lee aims to “reflect the authenticity of strong, capable female characters.”
Many fans of the first Space Jam were surprised to see Lola’s subtle transformation when character images first dropped. Turns out, this change is fully intentional for Lee. He hopes to turn Lola into a more “fully-realized” member of the Tune Squad. “Lola was not politically correct,” Lee said, reflecting on the original film starring Michael Jordan. “This is a kids’ movie, why is she in a crop top? It just felt unnecessary, but at the same time there’s a long history of that in cartoons.”
Lee explained that Lola’s look wasn’t the only thing that changed. He ensured she had a “real voice” and could be “feminine without being objectified.” He continued, “For us, it was, let’s ground her athletic prowess, her leadership skills, and make her as full a character as the others.” Keep an eye out for Lola and the full Tune Squad on July 16 when the movie will be available in theaters and to stream on HBO Max.
