Introduction
On Thursday, June 12, Amazon MGM Studios made an exciting announcement regarding the upcoming sequel to the beloved 1987 parody film, Spaceballs.
The studio revealed that the iconic actor Mel Brooks, now 98 years old, will return to the screen to reprise his memorable role as Yogurt, a character known for his gold skin and humorous take on the beloved Star Wars character, Yoda.
This new installment is being developed in collaboration with actor and writer Josh Gad, promising to bring a fresh yet nostalgic experience to fans of the original film. Brooks’ return to this role not only highlights his enduring legacy in the world of comedy but also rekindles the charm of a classic that has entertained audiences for decades.
Brooks announced on X on Thursday, June 12, “We told you we’d be back,” sharing a video reminiscent of a Star Wars title crawl that revealed the upcoming untitled film is set to premiere in theaters in 2027.
In a statement featured at the conclusion of the video, Brooks expressed, “After 40 years, we asked, ‘What do the fans want?’ But instead, we’re making this movie.” He concluded his remarks with a playful nod to the franchise, saying, “May the Schwartz be with you.”
The announcement for the sequel to Spaceballs featured a humorous text-crawl that cleverly critiqued Hollywood’s recent fixation on franchise expansions. It noted that thirty-eight years ago, audiences were introduced to a singular Star Wars trilogy.
However, the landscape has dramatically changed since then, with the emergence of a prequel trilogy, a sequel trilogy, and even a sequel to the prequel, alongside a prequel to the sequel. The proliferation of content has not stopped there; it has also spawned numerous television spin-offs and a film adaptation of one of those spin-offs, which intriguingly serves as both a prequel and a sequel.
This playful commentary highlights the complexities and sometimes absurdities of modern cinematic storytelling, reflecting a broader trend in the industry.
In the realm of cinematic franchises, the sheer volume of sequels and adaptations is staggering. Consider the impressive lineup: two adaptations of “Dune,” seven iterations of “Jurassic Park,” and a total of five “Avatar” films, including three that are yet to be released.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe boasts an astonishing thirty-six films, featuring two distinct portrayals of Iron Man by Robert Downey Jr. Meanwhile, the DC Universe has made two separate attempts to establish its own cinematic identity. The animated “Lion King” has been reimagined not only in live-action but also with a prequel that adds another layer to the beloved story.
The “Harry Potter” franchise has expanded to include eight films, alongside a television series that revisits the same narrative. Additionally, a dedicated streaming service for “Star Trek” showcases its extensive legacy, while the “Alien” franchise has produced seven films, two of which crossover with the “Predator” series, distinct from the six standalone “Predator” films.
The inclusion of “Prometheus,” which is tangentially related to the “Alien” universe, and four films featuring The Beatles further exemplifies the trend of revisiting and reinterpreting established narratives. Yet, amidst this overwhelming array of cinematic offerings, it is noteworthy that in the past thirty-eight years, there has only been a single “Spaceballs.” Until now, that is.
In June 2024, Gad, who is 44 years old, publicly announced his collaboration with Brooks on a sequel to the beloved cult classic Spaceballs. As part of this exciting project, Gad has taken on multiple roles; he not only co-wrote the screenplay but is also set to co-produce the film and star in it.
This venture marks a significant return to the franchise, promising to blend nostalgia with fresh comedic elements that fans have come to expect from the original.
As a child, I experienced the unique situation of watching Spaceballs before ever encountering Star Wars, which led me to question the rationale behind creating a serious remake of Mel Brooks’ beloved comedy, Gad reflected in his post on X while sharing the exciting news.
It is, therefore, an extraordinary honor for me to now take on a pivotal role in this project, collaborating with Mel and an exceptional team to develop a sequel to the film that originally inspired George Lucas.
Mel Brooks co-directed and starred in the 1987 cult classic Spaceballs alongside a talented ensemble that included Bill Pullman, John Candy, Daphne Zuniga, Joan Rivers, and Rick Moranis, among others. Recently, Deadline reported on June 12 that both Pullman, now 71, and Moranis, aged 72, are set to reprise their iconic roles as President Skroob and Dark Helmet in an upcoming sequel to Spaceballs.
Additionally, Keke Palmer has been announced as a new cast member for the film. While Amazon has yet to disclose the title, plot specifics, and the full cast, it humorously refers to the project as “A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film.”
In terms of his recent appearances, Brooks made a cameo as himself in a 2023 episode of Only Murders in the Building and lent his voice to a narrator in the miniseries History of the World: Part II, which also premiered this year.
