Warner Bros. Desexualizes Lola Bunny To Appear Sportier For New ‘Space Jam’ Film
By Izza Sofia, 08 Mar 2021
Image via IMDb
Warner Bros. has revealed a new look for Lola Bunny, the cartoon rabbit from 1996’s basketball movie Space Jam.
Previously, the character channeled a sexy pinup bunny, but today, she has been redesigned to look strong and sporty. Entertainment Weekly recently published a gallery of images for the movie Space Jam: A New Legacy, and fans noticed the stark difference in Lola Bunny’s look.
The original Lola wore a midriff-baring crop top and shorts, but the new Lola can be seen in a regular-length basketball jersey, with leggings under her shorts.
Malcolm D. Lee, director of the movie, told EW that he was caught off-guard by Lola’s “sexualized” look. “It’s important to reflect the authenticity of strong, capable female characters,” Lee said.
He then addressed the updated appearance given to Lola, which includes giving her an appropriate length on her shorts, ensuring that she looks feminine without risk of “being objectified.” She has also been given “a real voice,” he told EW.
“For us, it was, let’s ground her athletic prowess, her leadership skills, and make her as full a character as the others,” Lee continued.
Twitter users were quick to point out the new look, and reactions were mixed. “Lola Bunny can be a Bimbo and still be a feminist icon,” a Twitter user said. “I don’t care that Lola Bunny is dressed less sexy in Space Jam 2 but I am unbelievably exhausted by the idea that the way you communicate that a female character is to be taken seriously is by removing her boobs,” another commented.
Some of the reactions are pretty funny, with comedian Rajat Suresh envisioning a scene in the new movie, tweeting, “LeBron James: hello Lola you do not make anyone horny. I respect you for basketball Lola Bunny: thank you.”
Read more responses below.
Lola Bunny can be a Bimbo and still be a feminist icon
— Mary🍄🐛 (thesis brainrot) (@MaryKarberg) March 4, 2021
What if they kept Lola Bunny smokin’ hot but had the guy cartoons able to handle it & act normal
— 'Ol Katie Tweetin For Two (@katebarstool) March 5, 2021
I don’t care that Lola Bunny is dressed less sexy in Space Jam 2 but I am unbelievably exhausted by the idea that the way you communicate that a female character is to be taken seriously is by removing her boobs
— Lux "24/7 🌌 🧠" Alptraum (@LuxAlptraum) March 4, 2021
Here's my unnecessary Lola Bunny opinion: WHY ARE WE ACTING LIKE HAVING BIG BOOBS IS SHALLOW SOME PEOPLE ARE STACKED YALL NONE OF THESE RABBITS PLAY BASKETBALL JUST DRAW EM LIKE THIS THEN pic.twitter.com/r2C3Ft282u
— Akilah Hughes (@AkilahObviously) March 4, 2021
Space jam 2 scene:
— Rajat Suresh (@rajat_suresh) March 4, 2021
LeBron James: hello Lola you do not make anyone horny. I respect you for basketball
Lola bunny: thank you
Thoughts are with the person whose job it was to look at all the accounts being horny for old Lola Bunny and / or upset that they aren't as horny for new Lola Bunny and then summarize it as "people share their feelings" pic.twitter.com/Te8oJUK1Jk
— Emma Baccellieri (@emmabaccellieri) March 4, 2021
people arguing on the internet about lola bunny being too sexy/not sexy enough pic.twitter.com/SMLPzpCCos
— Dana Schwartz (@DanaSchwartzzz) March 4, 2021
first they take Lola Bunny’s breasts, what’s next? Elmo’s pendulous red cock and balls?
— sarah schauer 🦂 (@sarahschauer) March 5, 2021
The Pandemic hit Lola Bunny hard. pic.twitter.com/zUg6JruE0n
— Liz Katz (@LizKatzOfficial) March 5, 2021
[via PAPER, cover image via IMDb]