Space Jam and its potential sequel

Oh, absolutely, the Looney Tunes were never entirely consistent over the decades, and some creators vehemently disliked each others' interpretation of characters. Daffy and Bugs are probably the most noticeable examples of this.

Hell, the entire reason Yosemite Sam was created was to give Bugs a worthy opponent, which Elmer was plainly not (and to create a more versatile character than Elmer).

I always found that weird though, since after a while they dropped trying to make Sam or pretty much any opponent remotely more challenging than Elmer. Hell at least Elmer won the odd time. Some of his later adversaries consisted of Daffy and Wile, guys iconic for being completely outclassed against Bugs.

It felt like they were looking more for bad guys who would clearly make Bugs look like the good guy. Sam wasn't really that challenging, but he was a persistent Card-Carrying Jerkass and he'd always come back and provoke Bugs' usual shtick.

There seemed to be a constant concern that they were losing grasp of Bugs, he'd have bouts he'd lose all his old energy and character. This is especially evident in the late 50s/60s works, where he'd interchange between a cookie cutter Hero Antagonist to actually being kind of wild and fallible like his 40s self again.

People claim making a likeable villain is a hidden art, when I actually think it's even harder to make a likeable hero, especially one known for winning very easily.

Edited by Psi001 on Aug 16th 2020 at 1:59:09 PM

Actually after Sam they made Marvin to give Bugs an opponent who was as cunning as him and was calm enough that Bugs needed more effort than usual to beat him. Also there was Taz, who was smart enough not to fall for Bugs' tricks and usually required Bugs to be more proactive. And then there was Gossamer and Hazel who usually kept Bugs on the ropes or terrified him enough

Fair play, though the same pattern seemed to occur with all of them, suffering Villain Decay after only a few bouts.

I do think Hazel and Taz remained mostly consistent on their threatening tone, helped by them being made in the late 50's before the end of the good theatrical cartoons where every single character was eventually retired from the shorts. Unlike Sam, Elmer or Marvin

Actually Elmer I could argue was the guy who actually got better as they went along, since he was so low in the hierarchy they seemed to like having him pull a Smart Ball more often by his last few appearances. Again he beat Bugs at least twice in the mid fifties.

Rabbit Rampage is the stand out. It was lowkey satisfying to see Bugs lose it and be humilliated with his attempts at saving himself being for naught, after Duck Amuck

It's odd though because many consider Rabbit Rampage one of Jones' lesser Bugs cartoons (and one of the lesser "Bugs loses" ones).

I admit to thinking it was interesting, since it felt a bit like Jones was poking fun of his own Flanderization of Bugs. Elmer didn't just prank Bugs like he had Daffy, he kept targeting his pride and integrity, framing him with picket signs, putting "imposters" on the same stage as him, etc, etc. It's like Bugs had become a prima donna actor and refused to be in any cartoon he wouldn't come out smelling like a rose anymore.

I admit the odd times Bugs loses are low key satisfying, not because Bugs is hateable or anything, but because seeing a guy who is usually in control and an untouchable winner not be is extremely humanising. I admit this was one trait I liked the 60s Speedy cartoons trying out as well.

Rebel Rabbit is perhaps my favourite "Bugs loses" cartoon though, one of his most manic bouts (and being early Mckimson, there's a lot of yelling, smacking and manhandling). :P

Edited by Psi001 on Aug 16th 2020 at 4:04:15 PM

Check out LeBron sporting the new look of the Tune Squad jerseys, courtesy of his Uninterrupted brand.

Edited by XMenMutant22 on Aug 17th 2020 at 10:15:35 AM

Entertainment Weekly has provided its special issue cover and first look screencaps at the movie.

I was expecting classic 2D Roger Rabbit Effect, like in the original movie. Evidently, I expect too much.

If they did that the film wouldn't get made,simply not possible for something thats clearly driven by a desire to appeal to nostalgia

Looking at that image makes me wonder how a NBA Jam-based game with the Looney Tunes and NBA stars would be.

Edited by Blueace on Mar 4th 2021 at 6:50:31 AM

x3: There is 2D animation in the film, otherwise returning animators like Sandro Cleuzo wouldn't be attached to the project. The Entertainment Weekly cover and promotional material even features the Tunes in 2D.

People have speculated that the film is going to take the approach of The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, where the gang is primarily 2D until a certain point in the cyberverse climax.

I hope that is the case, at least. I really don't want them to bait us with supposed 2D animation, only for the 2D to be limited to one or two scenes.

We already have a thread on the film, lets move the discussion there.

I've noticed Swackhammer and the Nerdlucks don't have a character page. Can I make one for them? If so, where can I put it: the Space Jam page or the Looney Tunes page?

They are unique characters created for Space Jam, so they definitely belong to the Space Jam character page.

EDIT: ...which apparently doesn't exist. So maybe you should create a folder on Characters.Looney Tunes for them?

Edited by Snicka on Mar 10th 2021 at 11:16:45 AM

No trailer yet?

Yes, but it's in the Space Jam 2 thread. We should probably rename this one to just Space Jam.