James ready to expand acting chops

CLEVELAND - LeBron James already has followed in Michael Jordan's footsteps as a Nike pitchman. Now he's planning to spend the summer with an answer to Jordan's 1996 movie "Space Jam."

James is set to star in a film titled "Fantasy Basketball Camp." In theory, it's supposed to be "The Hangover" meets "SportsCenter." But the lineup of off-screen talent could be more promising.

Reportedly set to direct is Malcolm D. Lee, who previously gave the world, "Undercover Brother" and "Soul Men."

The original story, written by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, featured five adults traveling to Las Vegas to participate in a fantasy camp sponsored by James. They end up involving the King in their real-world man problems.

According to several reports, though, another writer was brought in to give the script a second shot - that would be Peter Steinfeld, whose credits include "21" and "Be Cool."

Brian Glazer is set to produce; he's the longtime partner of director Ron Howard. That might explain why Howard sat courtside at the United Center for Game 3 last Thursday.

James has hosted "Saturday Night Live" and the ESPY awards during the past few years, so this is a natural next step. Maybe we can just be thankful the plan wasn't to develop "The LeBrons" commercial for the big screen.