As fans eagerly await for new details, the highly-anticipated spoof sequel Spaceballs 2 receives a very promising update. Josh Gad, one of the film’s writers and the one who has stood by the project since its conception, has said that in the upcoming days the production will start in Australia. Spaceballs 2 is a reality, and Gad appears to be strong with the Schwartz.
The actor was present at the Toronto International Film Festival to promote his latest film, the drama co-starring Kaya Scodelario, Adulthood. When talking to Collider about his future projects, Gad revealed production on Spaceballs 2 is about to begin. While joking about “legal Amazon representatives” being on the lookout for any information he might overshare, he said the following:
“I can’t believe it’s actually happening. I pitched it to Mel Brooks three years ago. The fact that we are at the end of pre-production… You’re the first person I’m telling this to: I’m leaving TIFF to fly to Australia to start shooting the movie.
“We’re always hypersensitive to [leaks] and aware of it. We’re going to do, I would say, an even mix that would probably represent what Mel did on the first film. Because it is a Star Wars-esque film, it requires some Vista shots, which we’re doing, and it requires some spaceship shots, which we’re doing.”
Spaceballs 2 is set to be directed by Josh Greenbaum, who previously made films like Strays and Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar. The script is being helmed by Gad alongside Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit. The project is under development by Amazon MGM Studios and is set to arrive in theaters sometime in 2027.
Naturally, the big question on everyone’s mind is whether the original cast will return. John Candy and Joan Rivers, Barf and Dot Matrix in the original film, have since passed away, but it seems that others in the original cast will return. Daphne Zuniga, Bill Pullman and Rick Moranis will reprise their roles as Princess Vespa, Lone Star, and Dark Helmet, respectively. Mel Brooks will produce as well as reprise his role as Yogurt and President Skroob. Newcomers include Lewis Pullman (Bill Pullman’s son), Keke Palmer and Gad himself, but their roles are yet to be confirmed.
‘Spaceballs 2’ Will Be the Result of Studying “What Quintessentially Makes a Mel Movie a Mel Movie”
The original Spaceballs was made in 1987, merely four years after the release of Return of the Jedi. The film was still fresh in the public’s mind, and the jokes landed well. Now, decades have passed, and though the Disney-fied sequel trilogy was released ever since, its legacy can’t be compared to what Star Wars meant in the 1980s. Gad and his co-writers face a challenge.
Nevertheless, let’s not forget that Spaceballs 2 may be a Star Wars spoof, but it is also a comedy curated by the one and only Mel Brooks. Surely, the comedy legend will oversee the project and ensure the tone stays true to his style. When talking to Collider, Gad said that the writing process included revisiting Brooks’ filmography and studying the legacy of the legendary spoof filmmaker:
“We have gone back to rewatch every Mel Brooks movie probably five times and just study not only Spaceballs, but study what quintessentially makes a Mel movie a Mel movie.
“The characters in those movies are equally iconic to the genre that they are spoofing.”
