Lola Bunny redesign controversy surprised Space Jam director

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

When Malcolm D. Lee signed on to direct Space Jam: A New Legacy, he knew that he wanted to redesign Lola Bunny. The character was "very sexualized" in the original film, and Lee set out to make a more fully realized version of Lola, but he wasn't exactly prepared for the "super weird" backlash he would receive.

"I had no idea that people would be that up in arms about a bunny not having boobs," Malcolm D. Lee told Entertainment Weekly recently. "Listen, I understand people don't want things to change, but I think we needed some evolution with her, not by objectifying her but by making her strong and still feminine. And, yes, we had all these other women who were like, 'Oh, you can't be strong and have big boobs?!' Sure you can, but we're talking about a cartoon bunny not women!" The Lola Bunny of Space Jam: A New Legacy has been voiced by Zendaya, and she also admits to being surprised by the outrage over Lola's redesign.

I didn't know that was going to happen either! I definitely know we love her, but I didn't know it was going to be as much of a focus as it was. [Laughs] But I understand, because she's a lovable character. She's very important, so I get it.

Our own Matt Rooney recently reviewed Space Jam: A New Legacy, and although he admits that the sequel offers a "few good laughs" and some "clear improvements" over the original film, the shameless pandering of Warner Bros' IP bogged down "everything sweet and playful" about the film to such a degree that Rooney was left wondering just "who the f**k is this movie for?". You can check out the rest of Rooney's review right here.

The official synopsis for Space Jam: A New Legacy:

Welcome to the Jam! NBA champion and global icon LeBron James goes on an epic adventure alongside timeless Tune Bugs Bunny with the animated/live-action event “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” from director Malcolm D. Lee and an innovative filmmaking team including Ryan Coogler and Maverick Carter. This transformational journey is a manic mashup of two worlds that reveals just how far some parents will go to connect with their kids. When LeBron and his young son Dom are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A.I., LeBron must get them home safe by leading Bugs, Lola Bunny and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A.I.’s digitized champions on the court: a powered-up roster of professional basketball stars as you’ve never seen them before. It’s Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life, that will redefine LeBron’s bond with his son and shine a light on the power of being yourself. The ready-for-action Tunes destroy convention, supercharge their unique talents and surprise even “King” James by playing the game their own way.

Space Jam: A New Legacy will debut in theaters and on HBO Max on July 16th.