Hasta La Creative!

In case you weren’t feeling quite old enough today, the classic Michael Jordan vs. Looney Tunes drama Space Jam will celebrate its 20th anniversary next November.

But Nike’s newest ad, created by Wieden+Kennedy New York and starring Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, is a fresh — and pointed — reminder of the 1996 film. 

“The Dunk to End All Dunks” doesn’t feature Jordan himself (though the classic Nike Air icon does get a passing nod), or alas, Bill Murray. But it does star one Marvin the Martian, who seems to think that the universe is only big enough for one “Earth-shattering” dunk master.

While Marvin has his share of space-age toys to help him reach the rim despite his diminutive three-foot frame, Griffin has his own secret weapon. Naturally, it’s a brand new pair of Jordan Super.Fly 4 sneakers, which launch this week.

The original Space Jam was the highest-grossing basketball film in history, having earned more than $90 million domestically in 1996 dollars (sorry, Hoop Dreams). So, the question follows: is a Space Jam 2 in the works? 

Warner Brothers strongly hinted at a “yes” by filing several new trademarks for the Space Jam brand in June, mere weeks before the studio announced a new “content creation partnership” with Jordan’s natural successor, LeBron James. The deal between James’ SpringHill Entertainment and the Warner Bros. family includes plans for “TV, film and original digital programming.“

LeBron recently proved that he can act by stealing several scenes in the Amy Schumer vehicle Trainwreck, and his company has already produced a TV doc series, a digital-only reality title, a “scripted drama on Starz” and an unnamed NBC prime-time game show.

When asked whether he would star in a potential Space Jam sequel during a Twitter Q&A last month, James teased fans with a “we’ll have to wait and see,” which could very easily mean “of course I will.”

Nike isn’t quite as shy. Along with this new campaign, the footwear giant created a microsite naming Marvin the Martian as a member of its extended family of athletes/spokespeople and tracing his plans to use the power of the Super.Fly 4 to destroy that “troublesome little planet” we call Earth once and for all (complete with his own merchandise). The inaugural ad for the new Air line was also directed by Jon Favreau of Iron Man fame, who might just be the perfect Hollywood lifer to helm a new big-budget basketball flick.

And what about Blake Griffin? He isn’t just Nike’s new spokesperson: he’s also performed at Hollywood’s Laugh Factory and made appearances on nearly every late-night show. At the very least, he should have a supporting role in a franchise that he calls “a big part of my life.” Right, Charles Barkley?

Even if the sequel doesn’t come to pass, get ready to see the Space Jam name and logo on everything from “comedy and/or drama features” to “lithographs,” “mounted and/or unmounted photographs” and “printed patterns for costumes, pajamas, sweatshirts and t-shirts,” according to the trademark filings. And per the Martian himself, we can expect more Blake-and-Marvin ads from W+K to launch before opening night.

This is just the beginning, Earthlings! -Marvin

— Jordan (@Jumpman23) August 2, 2015

CREDITS

Client: Jordan Brand   
Advertising agency: Wieden+Kennedy New York
Executive Creative Directors: Jaime Robinson, David Kolbusz   
Creative Directors: Jimm Lasser, Gary Van Dzura, Mike Giepert   
Art Director: Jed Heuer   
Copywriter: Al Merry, Laddie Peterson   
Producer: Alison Hill   
Assistant Producer: Kristen Johnson, Lisa Delonay   
Head of Integrated Production: Nick Setounski   
Account Team: Jerico Cabaysa, Jonathan Chu   
Media Team: Karlo Cordova, Justin Lam, Branden Bouvia   
Strategic Planner: Stéphane Missier    
Project Manager: Sunjoo Ryou   
Business Affairs Team: Sara Jagielski, Sonia Bisono, Carolina Hernandez, Lindsey Timko 
  
Production Company: Pacific Rim Films   
Director: Jon Favreau   
Executive Producer, UPM: Annie Johnson   

Editorial Company: Arcade Edit   
Editor: Geoff Hounsell, Will Hassell   
Executive Producer and Managing Partner: Damian Stevens
Executive Producer: Nicole Visram      

Visual Effects Company: The Mill, New York   
Executive Producer: Zu Al-Kadiri, The Mill   
Producer: Katie Kolombatovich   
Shoot Supervisor: Westley Sarokin and Ed Boldero   
Creative Director: Westley Sarokin  

Animation: Warner Bros Animation   
Producer / Director: Spike Brandt   
Line Producer: Monica Mitchell   
Animators: Spike Brandt, Dale Baer, Dan Haskett, John McClenahan, Jeff Siergey, Neal Sternecky, Bill Waldman, Dean Wellins   
 
Music Company: tonefarmer   
President/Partner/Producer: Tiffany Senft   
Founder/Composer: Raymond Loewy   
Composers: Jared Hunter, Sam Skarstad, Raymond Loewy   
Sound Designer: Jimmy Harned   
Production Manager: Elizabeth Munoz 

Mix Company: Sonic Union