I had the title before I had written a word, says Shelton.
The foreign translation was even funnier.
Cant Jump was translated in many foreign languages as Cant Score, like cant score a goal.
Credit: 20th Century Fox/Everett Collection
Oh, youre upset with jumping?!
I was just the white guy who could shoot.
In his directing debut, former minor league baseball player Shelton hit a home run withBull Durham.
20th Century Fox/Everett Collection
After a foray away from sports withBlaze, Shelton was inspired to return to what he knew best.
A regular in the local pickup games, Shelton drew inspiration from his time on the court.
I went one Friday and [the park] was chained up, he remembers.
20th Century Fox/Everett Collection
I said, What happened?
They said, So-and-so got shot.
Somebody went to the glove box.
When someone says that, everyone goes running.
He came back and shot the guy dead.
I said, What was the issue?
He said, Block or charge.'
I was trying to figure out what Glorias [Billys girlfriend] thing was.
It had to be so unconnected from the guys.
Because thats big for me, to verify that the women arent defined in terms of the guy business.
After he heard someone discussing their friends aspiration to get onJeopardy, the final piece was in place.
Theres no logic to it its sort of the Hollywood dream.
I just threw a ball out there, he says.
That sort of weeded it out.
Agents would call asking about their clients and Id say, He cant play.
He cant beat me, never mind these guys.
Wesley is not a great basketball player, but he is a great athlete big distinction, explains Shelton.
When he showed up to audition, he just had more attitude than anybody.
He walked on the court trash-talking and it didnt matter if he had any game [laughs].
He showed up with more attitude and less jump shot than anybody.
Every time I shot it, even if it didnt go in, I talked like it did.
I made you believe that you were lucky it didnt go in.
Woody and Wesley had magic instantly, says Shelton.
Woodys a great counterpuncher.
Wesley could come up with a funny line and Woody could steal the moment with his reaction.
Thats the key to chemistry and you dont get it very often.
You need two people who cant do what the other one does.
You cant invent that, he recalls of watching the actress become Gloria.
Guys had computer printouts with yo momma jokes.
The sense of competition continued off-camera as well.
Eventually, it was enough for Harrelson to slam it home.
They lowered the rim and put stickum on his hands, laughs Snipes.
I already had the money spent.
I came out of the trailer and came back to set he went up there and dunked it.
Everyone was going crazy and I went, Wait a minute, something is wrong here.
So I dunked it, and immediately was like, Cmon, you guys lowered the rim.
While Harrelsons dunk needed some assistance, the stars trash-talking skills were pick-up-game ready.
We were rehearsing and everybody is complaining that everyone else has the best yo mama jokes, recalls Shelton.
I said, Shut up, come back with your best ones tomorrow.
Guys had computer printouts with yo mama jokes.
We were just roaring at all the jokes.
Better believe though, no matter the age, well take down those young cats.
Its one of the fondest experiences of my professional life, he said.
I made a life-long friend and a spiritual brother.
For Shelton, the experience was bittersweet.
Even though Shelton won the suit, it squashed his plans for a sequel and TV series.
Better believe though, no matter the age, well take down those young cats.
