More than 20 years after Juwanna Mann hit theaters, star Miguel A. Núñez Jr. says a sequel is officially in motion, and he believes the cultural moment is now more aligned for the story than it was in 2002.
Speaking with TMZ Sports, Núñez confirmed that Lionsgate is developing Juwanna Mann 2, and that he expects many of the original cast members to return, including Vivica A. Fox and Tommy Davidson.
While the script is still being developed and may not be completed until mid-2026, Núñez is already thinking about who he wants to step into the franchise’s next era.
“I’m getting ready for Part Two. We’re doing it this year with Lionsgate… It’s better now than it was then. It was before its time,” Núñez shared.
Núñez said what’s changed most is the spotlight around women’s basketball. Stars like Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, and A’ja Wilson have ushered in a new era of WNBA visibility, cultural crossover, and mainstream star power, a level of attention the women’s game didn’t have during the original film’s release.
“In the beginning, it wasn’t so prevalent, you know, female basketball players and all of that stuff. But now is a better time for it,” he shared.
Because of that shift, Núñez is hoping to bring some of the biggest names in the game to the sequel. He specifically named Reese and Clark as his dream cameos, along with Steph Curry.
The original Juwanna Mann featured real athletes like Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, Teresa Weatherspoon, Rasheed Wallace, Dikembe Mutombo, Vlade Divac, and Muggsy Bogues, and Núñez says that’s part of the energy he wants to return to.
And this wouldn’t even be Reese’s first acting role; the WNBA star recently made a cameo in the film A House of Dynamite.
Still, the sequel’s premise will raise questions. The original film revolved around a male basketball star disguising himself as a woman to join a women’s league, a storyline that today intersects conversations around gender, identity, and equity in sports.
Núñez acknowledges the shift, but says he believes the sequel will handle the subject with more context, better storytelling, and a deeper cultural awareness.
