20th Century's White Men Can't Jump reboot will feature Jack Harlow's acting debut. The 23-year-old musician, whose 2020 album That's What They All Say peaked at No. 5 on the US Billboard 200, has just been cast in the upcoming White Men Can't Jump movie. Deadline reports that Harlow will play the role originally portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original film, one of the two leads alongside Wesley Snipes.
Though Harlow has not acted professionally, the filmmakers had a lot of confidence in the musician's transition into acting based on a powerful audition. Harlow is said to have gotten the part after his first-ever screen audition, where he immediately won over the filmmakers and executives. What helped seal the deal was the basketball skills Harlow showcased during the recent NBA All-Star Weekend's Celebrity Game. With Harlow on board, the plan is to put the recasting for Snipes' character on the fast track for the reboot to get its other lead star.
Calmatic (House Party) is directing the new White Men Can't Jump film using a screenplay by Kenya Barris and Doug Hall. Barri is also producing through his Khalabo Ink Society banner. Blake Griffin, Ryan Kalil, and Noah Weinstein are executive producing via Mortal Media alongside Hall and E. Brian Dobbins.
Lately, Jack Harlow has made some waves with his recent single "Nail Tech." He will still be pursuing his music career with plans to work filming for White Men Can't Jump around Forecastle Festival in Kentucky in late May, an event he's headlining. To catch a sneak peek at what he'll be doing in the film, you can catch a clip of his moves on the court in the video below.
White Men Can't Jump Was a Hit Film in 1992
Released in 1992, White Men Can't Jump was written and directed by Ron Shelton. It stars Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson as a pair of streetball hustlers with the cast also including Rosie Perez, Tyra Ferrell, and Cylk Cozart, with a special appearance from Alex Trebek. While it was a hit at the box office and spawned a video game adaptation, the movie never got a sequel or follow-up film prior to this new planned reboot that's in the works with Jack Harlow.
We shouldn't count on Woody Harrelson coming back for a cameo is comments he'd made in 2017 are anything to go by. At the time, Harrelson discussed the reported reboot. While he expressed support for the filmmakers and wished them well, he shot down the notion of reprising the role he'd previously played or even showing up for a simple cameo.
"No, I think that’s really cool they’re doing that but I mean … Yeah, I can’t see reprising that role or even a cameo," Harrelson told Fansided. "No, I mean, I’m glad they’re doing it and I hope it’s great! Hell, I hope it’s better than the original! But … I can’t see going down there, and getting down in Venice and pumping up my sneakers."
The White Men Can't Jump reboot doesn't have an official release date set at this time.