As one of the more polarizing figures in the NBA, LeBron James is sure to draw support as well as disapproval of his upcoming basketball comedy Ballers, in which Kevin Hart will co-star. Fans of the 4-time MVP will no doubt be delighted to see their favorite star cracking jokes on the big screen, while critics will mark this as another publicity stunt along with his The Decision TV special. Regardless which side of the fence you fall on, it is hard not to be just a little intrigued by the James/Hart duo.
In the film Hart will play a man whose accomplishments (and size) come up short of his NBA superstar brother (James). However, Hart’s character will get a chance to prove his merit when he and some friends attend a basketball fantasy camp in Miami.
James has been attempting to make this film for a few years, and Hart’s involvement may have been just what was needed to get the project off the ground. Due to their height differential (James stands at 6’8″ to Hart’s modest 5’3″), the pair are already drawing comparisons to Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito in the 1988 comedy Twins.
Regardless of what detractors may say, James will be in good company as he tries his hand as an actor. Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain, arguably two of the greatest basketball players of all time, both caught the acting bug. While Jordan starred in the 1996 family comedy Space Jam, Chamberlain turned in a performance as Bombaata in the Arnold Schwarzenegger action flick Conan the Destroyer. Other NBA stars who have graced the big screen include Ray Allen and Shaquille O’Neal.
Ballers is expected to begin production this summer, when James will have free time after attempting to lead the Miami Heat to a third straight NBA Championship.
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