“White Men Can’t Jump” holds a special place in a lot of moviegoers’ hearts; while not the enduring sports classic that writer-director Ron Shelton delivered with his baseball mash note “Bull Durham,” the buddy comedy vividly captures the world of pick-up basketball players, and features three standout performances by Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson and Rosie Perez. Director Calmatic’s 2023 remake not only fails to recapture the energy of the first film but seems to misunderstand the cinematic language of streetball, and is largely uninterested in utilizing stars Sinqua Walls and Jack Harlow except as delivery systems for exposition.
Updated only in its excess of contemporary slang and overwrought backstories, “White Men Can’t Jump” exemplifies the aversion to risk and lack of imagination in storytellers mining intellectual property at the behest of blandest-common-denominator-seeking corporate overlords.
Walls plays Kamal Allen, a onetime pro ball hopeful turned parcel deliveryman who relives old glories...
Updated only in its excess of contemporary slang and overwrought backstories, “White Men Can’t Jump” exemplifies the aversion to risk and lack of imagination in storytellers mining intellectual property at the behest of blandest-common-denominator-seeking corporate overlords.
Walls plays Kamal Allen, a onetime pro ball hopeful turned parcel deliveryman who relives old glories...
- 5/18/2023
- by Todd Gilchrist
- Variety Film + TV
"White Men Can't Jump" is a rare example of moviemaking where everything seemed to come together perfectly. Writer/director Ron Shelton was able to combine his love for LA and streetball with this 1992 effort, and found two stars who couldn't have had better chemistry, both on camera and off. Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson, who played Sidney Deane and Billy Hoyle respectively, were effortlessly captivating as struggling Venice Beach basketball players who hustle their way through LA's streetball scene. Had Snipes not sabotaged his "White Men Can't Jump" audition with Keanu Reeves, things might have been different. But as it stands, the movie is one of the best basketball films ever made, largely due to its two leads and their easy rapport.
After Sidney encounters Billy during a pickup game on the famed Venice Beach courts, he invites "the chump" to play, only to discover that Billy is good — maybe even better than him.
After Sidney encounters Billy during a pickup game on the famed Venice Beach courts, he invites "the chump" to play, only to discover that Billy is good — maybe even better than him.
- 2/18/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
The story of how "White Men Can't Jump" got made is an interesting one, and certainly worth looking back on given the upcoming remake starring Jack Harlow and Sinqua Walls. From the fact that Keanu Reeves auditioned — and failed miserably — for the role that would eventually fall to Woody Harrelson, to the fact that Wesley Snipes was, by all accounts, very bad at basketball, it's almost amazing that the film was not only a success but has had a lasting legacy as one of the best movies about roundball ever made.
A big part of that is due to the chemistry between Harrelson and Snipes, who have been connected over the years going all the way back to the 1986 high school football comedy "Wildcats." Their performances as Billy Hoyle and Sidney Dean, and the way that their real-life friendship pops in every scene they share, have helped "White Men Can't Jump...
A big part of that is due to the chemistry between Harrelson and Snipes, who have been connected over the years going all the way back to the 1986 high school football comedy "Wildcats." Their performances as Billy Hoyle and Sidney Dean, and the way that their real-life friendship pops in every scene they share, have helped "White Men Can't Jump...
- 2/18/2023
- by Jeff Kelly
- Slash Film
The task of casting two actors that can play believable friends is a feat that can't be faked, and it was only half the battle when it came time to cast the basketball buddy comedy "White Men Can't Jump." Writer-director Ron Shelton was looking for more than just chemistry between his two leads. He also needed actors that looked like they belonged on the court, which made it a grueling casting process for its prospective stars.
Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson were already longtime friends before "White Men Can't Jump" fell into their laps. They'd met on the set of "Wildcats," another sports comedy starring Goldie Hawn, and had spent something like six years cultivating a rapid-fire rapport. That pre-established chemistry should have made their casting a no-brainer — if only Snipes and Harrelson were as much of a match on the court as they were off of it.
"People think Wesley is obvious casting,...
Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson were already longtime friends before "White Men Can't Jump" fell into their laps. They'd met on the set of "Wildcats," another sports comedy starring Goldie Hawn, and had spent something like six years cultivating a rapid-fire rapport. That pre-established chemistry should have made their casting a no-brainer — if only Snipes and Harrelson were as much of a match on the court as they were off of it.
"People think Wesley is obvious casting,...
- 2/9/2023
- by Lyvie Scott
- Slash Film
To paraphrase Wesley Snipes circa 1992, "I only have [five] words for you: 'White Men Can't Jump' [remake]." That's right, you favorite comedic basketball hustlers, or a 2023 facsimile of them, are back in a Hulu original film that's coming your way this May. It's been over 30 years since Snipes issued his immortal declaration to Woody Harrelson about the slam-dunking abilities, or lack thereof, of white guys on the b-ball court, and now a new generation of actors and filmmakers is here to update the story for the streaming age.
We first heard about the "White Men Can't Jump" remake way back in early 2017, so it's been gestating for a while, with "black-ish" creator Kenya Barris attached to write. NBA player Blake Griffin and former NFL player Ryan Kalil are set to produce alongside Barris through their production company Mortal Media. In late 2021, we finally got an update on the project with the news that Calmatic,...
We first heard about the "White Men Can't Jump" remake way back in early 2017, so it's been gestating for a while, with "black-ish" creator Kenya Barris attached to write. NBA player Blake Griffin and former NFL player Ryan Kalil are set to produce alongside Barris through their production company Mortal Media. In late 2021, we finally got an update on the project with the news that Calmatic,...
- 2/6/2023
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
In the wake of Megan Thee Stallion pulling double duty on “Saturday Night Live” as host and musical guest, the show is going to be doing the same thing with the next guest: Jack Harlow.
During last night’s episode, “SNL” announced that Harlow would be making his hosting debut in the Oct. 29 show, and will also be musical guest.
Jack Harlow
Jack Harlow pic.twitter.com/etDR9ZTLgE
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) October 16, 2022
This will mark Harlow’s second time on the “SNL” musical stage, following his previous performance in March 2021.
Harlow recently completed filming the reboot of “White Men Can’t Jump”, in which he stars as Billy Hoyle (played by Woody Harrelson in the 1992 original), opposite Sinqua Walls, who plays Wesley Snipes’ character Sidney Deane.
Read More: Jack Harlow Brings Out Fergie For Surprise Performance At 2022 MTV VMAs
If Harlow brings the same level of commitment to...
During last night’s episode, “SNL” announced that Harlow would be making his hosting debut in the Oct. 29 show, and will also be musical guest.
Jack Harlow
Jack Harlow pic.twitter.com/etDR9ZTLgE
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) October 16, 2022
This will mark Harlow’s second time on the “SNL” musical stage, following his previous performance in March 2021.
Harlow recently completed filming the reboot of “White Men Can’t Jump”, in which he stars as Billy Hoyle (played by Woody Harrelson in the 1992 original), opposite Sinqua Walls, who plays Wesley Snipes’ character Sidney Deane.
Read More: Jack Harlow Brings Out Fergie For Surprise Performance At 2022 MTV VMAs
If Harlow brings the same level of commitment to...
- 10/16/2022
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
[[tmz:video id="0_mpbaosnh"]] It's the question everyone who loves Sidney Deane wants to know -- will Wesley Snipes give his blessing for the "White Men Can't Jump" remake???? Snipes knew all about the project when we spotted him out in L.A. -- and cracked a bunch of jokes about the guy expected to star in the flick, Blake Griffin. He even pondered if Griffin would play the black guy or the white guy in the movie ... and...
- 4/24/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
The Hollywood Reporter brings word today that cult comedy White Men Can’t Jump is in line for the remake treatment via Black-ish creator Kenya Barris.
Barris is on board to write and produce the modern overhaul for 20th Century Fox alongside athletes-turned-producers Blake Griffin and Ryan Kalil. Beyond that, little is known about Barris’ vision for the remake, but we imagine it’ll hew closely to the 1992 original. The film featured Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes as a pair of con artists and hustlers who fool basketball players and streetballers into thinking that Harrelson’s Billy Hoyle is a no-good schmuck. One thing Billy struggles with, though, is the iconic dunk shot, leading Snipes’ Sidney Deane to coin the term White Men Can’t Jump.
Now approaching its 25th anniversary, Ron Shelton’s sports comedy became something of a sleeper hit when it was first released back in ’92, going on to gross $90 million worldwide.
Barris is on board to write and produce the modern overhaul for 20th Century Fox alongside athletes-turned-producers Blake Griffin and Ryan Kalil. Beyond that, little is known about Barris’ vision for the remake, but we imagine it’ll hew closely to the 1992 original. The film featured Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes as a pair of con artists and hustlers who fool basketball players and streetballers into thinking that Harrelson’s Billy Hoyle is a no-good schmuck. One thing Billy struggles with, though, is the iconic dunk shot, leading Snipes’ Sidney Deane to coin the term White Men Can’t Jump.
Now approaching its 25th anniversary, Ron Shelton’s sports comedy became something of a sleeper hit when it was first released back in ’92, going on to gross $90 million worldwide.
- 1/17/2017
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
Wallace Beery from Pancho Villa to Long John Silver: TCM schedule (Pt) on August 17, 2013 (photo: Fay Wray, Wallace Beery as Pancho Villa in ‘Viva Villa!’) See previous post: “Wallace Beery: Best Actor Oscar Winner — and Runner-Up.” 3:00 Am The Last Of The Mohicans (1920). Director: Maurice Tourneur. Cast: Barbara Bedford, Albert Roscoe, Wallace Beery, Lillian Hall, Henry Woodward, James Gordon, George Hackathorne, Nelson McDowell, Harry Lorraine, Theodore Lorch, Jack McDonald, Sydney Deane, Boris Karloff. Bw-76 mins. 4:30 Am The Big House (1930). Director: George W. Hill. Cast: Chester Morris, Wallace Beery, Lewis Stone, Robert Montgomery, Leila Hyams, George F. Marion, J.C. Nugent, DeWitt Jennings, Matthew Betz, Claire McDowell, Robert Emmett O’Connor, Tom Wilson, Eddie Foyer, Roscoe Ates, Fletcher Norton, Noah Beery Jr, Chris-Pin Martin, Eddie Lambert, Harry Wilson. Bw-87 mins. 6:00 Am Bad Man Of Brimstone (1937). Director: J. Walter Ruben. Cast: Wallace Beery, Virginia Bruce, Dennis O’Keefe. Bw-89 mins.
- 8/17/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
With the best athletes in the world competing for Gold this week in London, it's time to turn our attention to something that hasn't even been invented yet: Movie Olympics! Here, Moviefone pits together some of your favorite characters in Olympic events. In 1992, the U.S.A. Men's Olympic Basketball team (better known as the Dream Team) stomped their opponents by an average margin of 44 points (!) per game. Needless to say, the squad went on to win the Gold Medal that year, supplanting their place in playground lore. However, for the Movie Olympics, rest assured that those types of blowouts will not be happening. That's because this year's basketball event has a very strong group of competitors going head-to-head for "Best Team In The Land" bragging rights. From the TuneSquad to the Hickory Huskers, let's take a look below at those participating. When you're finished, make sure to vote for...
- 7/31/2012
- by Alex Suskind
- Moviefone
View Gallery »
This Friday will kick off the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, and though our old Revolutionary War adversaries might be our allies now, that doesn't mean the U.S. of frickin' A. isn't ready to bring the thunder.
Using our powers of make-believe and fantasy, we've assembled athletic champions from the entirety of movie history to give us a clear advantage towards the race for Olympic glory in every sport of the XXX Olympiad.
Archery
This year, the team events will be presented in single elimination format, with each archer shooting a total of 72 arrows from a 70-meter distance. Representatives from our women's team include District 12's Katniss Everdeen of "The Hunger Games" whose chief competitor for the gold is Scotland's Princess Merida of "Brave." The Men's team shall attempt to defeat Middle Earth's Legolas Greenleaf from "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy" with...
This Friday will kick off the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, and though our old Revolutionary War adversaries might be our allies now, that doesn't mean the U.S. of frickin' A. isn't ready to bring the thunder.
Using our powers of make-believe and fantasy, we've assembled athletic champions from the entirety of movie history to give us a clear advantage towards the race for Olympic glory in every sport of the XXX Olympiad.
Archery
This year, the team events will be presented in single elimination format, with each archer shooting a total of 72 arrows from a 70-meter distance. Representatives from our women's team include District 12's Katniss Everdeen of "The Hunger Games" whose chief competitor for the gold is Scotland's Princess Merida of "Brave." The Men's team shall attempt to defeat Middle Earth's Legolas Greenleaf from "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy" with...
- 7/26/2012
- by Max Evry
- NextMovie
by Kara Warner
Enlisting actors to play professional athletes can be dicey business - no matter how many hours of professional coaching or training they log, they're athleticism is either believable, or laughable. In celebration of this week's sporty rom-com "Just Wright," and a pretty impressive turn by rapper/actor Common as a professional basketball player, here is a list of other thespians who pulled off their "cinemathletics."
Wesley Snipes -- Willie Mays Hayes/"Major League" & Sidney Deane/"White Men Can't Jump"
While Snipes is probably best known as the vampire-slaying badass, Blade, he is especially memorable - and convincing - as smooth-talking "I play like Mays, and I run like Hayes" base-stealer in "League." As for Deane, his basketball hustler "Jump," who can forget his rant about "listening" to Jimi Hendrix versus "hearing" Jimi Hendrix?
Sean Astin, as Daniel E. "Rudy" Ruettiger in "Rudy"
In arguably one of the...
Enlisting actors to play professional athletes can be dicey business - no matter how many hours of professional coaching or training they log, they're athleticism is either believable, or laughable. In celebration of this week's sporty rom-com "Just Wright," and a pretty impressive turn by rapper/actor Common as a professional basketball player, here is a list of other thespians who pulled off their "cinemathletics."
Wesley Snipes -- Willie Mays Hayes/"Major League" & Sidney Deane/"White Men Can't Jump"
While Snipes is probably best known as the vampire-slaying badass, Blade, he is especially memorable - and convincing - as smooth-talking "I play like Mays, and I run like Hayes" base-stealer in "League." As for Deane, his basketball hustler "Jump," who can forget his rant about "listening" to Jimi Hendrix versus "hearing" Jimi Hendrix?
Sean Astin, as Daniel E. "Rudy" Ruettiger in "Rudy"
In arguably one of the...
- 5/14/2010
- by MTV Movies Team
- MTV Movies Blog
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