Basketball icon LeBron James has hit back at "haters" who have panned his newly-released sequel to the Michael Jordan classic 'Space Jam', bragging about the critically-derided movie's takings at the box office on opening weekend.
Featuring a cast of fellow NBA stars including Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Nneka Ogwumike, Diana Taurasi and Klay Thompson, the film scooped more than $13 million at theaters on Friday.
The follow-up to the 1996 original cost $150 million to make and has been widely criticized by critics and viewers, earning a current rating of just 4.2 on cinema oracular the Internet Movie Database so far.
The LA Lakers star used his hugely-followed social media platform to share the news that 'Space Jam: A New Legacy' will head into next week as the US' number one-performing film after earning $32 million and seeing off stiff competition by beating 'Black Widow'.
Hi LeBron! ???? $32 M for a sequel is a flop. It’s like winning the NBA Championship and then losing in the first round of the playoffs the next year. pic.twitter.com/G5SVCsF4QS
"A New Legacy is legitimately the worst movie I’ve ever seen in my life," said another, with one reader adding: "It’s weird to have the number one movie and address your haters, not your fans."
Elsewhere, James was amused by a post from a reporter suggesting that he had been allowed to "bring his own bottle of tequila into the arena" alongsode a photo of the veteran at the NBA finals.
"Ridiculous double standard," an Anti-James punter pointed out. "Anyone else would be arrested for bringing their own liquor or glass bottle in. And nice wide stance to infringe upon that lady's personal space next to him. Always all class, Bron."
