Bill Murray had a small but crucial role during the climax of Michael Jordan’s smash-hit sports comedy film Space Jam.
Actor Bill Murray is known for his iconic role as Peter Venkman in the Ghostbusters franchise, apart from several other hit comedy films. Murray recently appeared on a talk show to promote the new installment in his popular supernatural comedy franchise when he was asked about his cameo in 1996’s Space Jam.
During the appearance, Murray discussed his brief but important role in the live-action/animation hybrid film featuring basketball legend Michael Jordan in the lead role. Murray revealed he was still bitter about how the film’s climax played out and made a major revelation about Jordan’s playing style, albeit in his trademark humorous way. Here is what Murray had to say about Jordan and Space Jam.
Bill Murray Reveals He is Still Bitter About the Final Showdown in Space Jam 28 Years Later
Ernie Hudson and Bill Murray on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Bill Murray recently appeared on an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, with co-star Ernie Hudson to promote their upcoming film Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. During his conversation with Fallon, Murray was asked about his role in Space Jam, where he appeared as a fictionalized version of himself.
In the film’s climax, Murray joins Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes to defeat the Monstars in a basketball game. Murray makes the steal and assists Jordan for the final slam dunk that wins their team the match.
However, Murray jokingly revealed that he was bitter about the scene since he did not get recognition for the assist.
“I made the steal at the end of that game, and I passed it to Mike, and then I was wide open. You think that guy would give it back.”
Murray made the above statement hilariously voicing his displeasure with Jordan over how the film’s final showdown with the Monstars panned out. Murray jokingly implied that Jordan was a selfish player and stated:
“You know, they can call him the greatest of all time. He’s a ball hog.”
Murray made the above admission about Jordan referencing the events of Space Jam‘s climax. In the past, Murray has similarly joked about the film’s climatic showdown which features him in a crucial role despite merely having a handful of the scenes in the movie.
Bill Murray Wasn’t Originally Supposed to be in the Space Jam Climax
While Murray might like to jokingly ask for appreciation for making the final assist that helped defeat the Monstars in Space Jam, the actor was almost entirely not supposed to be in the film’s climax. During a 2021 interview with Entertainment Weekly, the film’s director, Joe Pytka, opened up about Murray’s appearance in the film.
Bill Murray and Michael Jordan in Space Jam (1996)
Pytka revealed that Murray was initially only supposed to appear in the golf course scene where Jordan is pulled into the Looney Tunes universe. Murray had only signed on for a cameo since he did not want to work in the animation medium.
However, after finding out how Pytka was approaching the animation aspect, he agreed to film for the climax.
“When [he] found out how we were doing that, we wrote a couple of extra scenes for him at the end of the movie, when he comes back to the basketball game.”
Pytka made the above statement about Murray’s reappearance towards the end of the film. Hence, it seems the real credit for the climatic match-winning assist should go to Pytka over Murray.
Space Jam is streaming on Max.
