Mel Brooks Says Spaceballs The Sequel Is Happening At Amazon

The Schwartz is with us, apparently, as the Star Wars parody gets a belated sequel.

Legendary comic Mel Brooks took to the internet today to announce that Spaceballs 2 is a goer. Almost 40 years since the original Spaceballs hit our screens in 1987, it seems the time is ripe for another round of mercilessly parodying the whole sci-fi thing again. Brooks, who wrote and directed the first film and is producing the sequel, as well as returning to the role of ersatz Yoda Yoghurt, pointed out in a video that the sheer wealth of material released in the interim made it an irresistible target. Check it out:

That’s the spin at any rate, and who are we to quibble? But here’s what we do know: Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money (Almost certainly the title) will be directed by Josh Greenbaum, who gave us the absolutely unhinged Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. So that’s a plus. Bill Pullman and Rick Moranis are back as Lone Starr and Dark Helmet, respectively, while Daphne Zuniga returns as Princess Vespa. That’s kind of surprising, especially Moranis – he hasn’t appeared in a film since 1997’s Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves, a couple of voice roles aside. Brooks himself last appeared in a cameo in 2005’s The Producers.

New blood includes Lewis “son of Bill” Pullman as Starburst, the son of Queen Vespa and Lone Starr. Joining the Thunderbolts star is Keke Palmer as Destiny, whoever that turns out to be, and Josh Gad in an undisclosed role. Gad is also on scripting duties, along with Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez. As for plot, all that Amazon/MGM will say is “While the title, plot details, and rest of cast are being kept under wraps, the film has been described by those who have not yet read the script as ‘A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two’ but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film.” Righto.

This could go either way, really. Mel Brooks is a comedy genius, of course. Anyone who can fang out Young Einstein and Blazing Saddles in the same year is assured of their place in the firmament. But Space Balls is one of his lesser efforts. Your love of the film is entirely predicated on how old you were when you first saw it (I was 12, so believe me – I sympathise). So while excitement is warranted – new Mel Brooks! – remember that it’s excitement over a sequel to a middling comedy with a few stand out scenes. But you never know – this could be a banger.