In development news sure to delight fans of irreverent satire, a Spaceballs sequel is officially being worked on at Amazon’s MGM Studios with creator Mel Brooks and actor Josh Gad at the helm. Over 35 years after the original Star Wars parody hit theaters, the iconic spoof is preparing to make the jump to hyperspace once again.
As first teased on social media by Gad earlier this month, the actor will star in and produce the new Spaceballs project alongside comedy legend Brooks, who co-wrote and directed the 1987 original. Josh Greenbaum (Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) is attached to direct the sequel, with a script by Gad, Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez.
Plot details remain tightly under wraps, with even the film’s title still unknown. The Instagram photo posted by Gad intentionally blurred out key sections of the script’s cover page, only confirming Mel Brooks’ involvement by showing part of “Based on characters created by Mel [Brooks].”
One of the few other clues comes from the page beginning with “Exterior: Star Field” – suggesting the Spaceballs sequel will once again spoof the grand space operas and starships seen in the Star Wars films that inspired the original parody’s title.
Many fans have speculated the new film could take satirical aim at the recent Star Wars sequel trilogy produced by Disney, which acquired the franchise after creator George Lucas sold Lucasfilm in 2012. Back in 2015 ahead of The Force Awakens’ release, Brooks himself expressed interest in a Spaceballs follow-up titled “The Search for More Money” that would reunite the original cast.
While the principal actors have not been confirmed, Spaceballs aficionados would no doubt be thrilled to see Bill Pullman, John Candy, Rick Moranis and Daphne Zuniga reprising their roles from the beloved cult classic. The late Joan Rivers is also fondly remembered for voicing a C-3PO parody droid.
In the meantime, the Spaceballs sequel is gearing up for production with Gad thrilled about the early script’s hilarious potential. “Just handed in a film script that I think may be the funniest and best thing I’ve ever worked on,” the actor shared. “Working with my boys has been heaven on Earth and many other planets as well.”
With the wacky team of Brooks and Gad locked in, Spaceballs fans can start looking forward to another round of zany, irreverent laughs at the expense of a galaxy far, far away – over three decades since the daring crew of the Princess Vespa first took that fateful merchandising ploy too far.