Josh Gad has announced that he will star in a sequel to the beloved 1987 sci-fi parody “Spaceballs,” with the legendary Mel Brooks producing. Gad, who is also co-writing and co-producing the film, shared the exciting news on Instagram, expressing his enthusiasm for the project. “My phone has never exploded as hard as it did today,” Gad wrote, adding, “We are very excited!”
The sequel is still in its early stages, but Gad confirmed that he is collaborating closely with Brooks, who directed, co-wrote, produced, and appeared in the original film. Brooks, now 97, is set to produce the new installment, which is being developed by Amazon MGM Studios. Josh Greenbaum, known for directing “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar,” will helm the project, with Gad, Benji Samit, and Dan Hernandez penning the script. Kevin Salter will serve as executive producer.
Gad expressed his admiration for Brooks, calling the opportunity to work with him “a dream come true.” He added, “We worship at the altar of all things Brooks and are doing everything in our power alongside Mel to make sure you get what you’ve waited 37 long years for. EVERYTHING 🚀 #maytheschwartzbewithyou.”
The original “Spaceballs” was a parody of the “Star Wars” franchise and featured a star-studded cast including Bill Pullman, John Candy, and Rick Moranis. The film has since become a cult classic, and fans have long awaited a sequel. The new film’s plot details are still under wraps, but the involvement of Brooks and Gad has already generated significant buzz.
Samit and Hernandez, who are co-writing the script with Gad, have impressive credentials. They have worked on projects like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” “Addams Family 2,” and the upcoming Disney+ series “LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy.” Greenbaum, the director, has also made a name for himself with his work on “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar.”
While representatives for Amazon and Brooks have not yet commented on the project, the news has already excited fans of the original film. Gad’s Instagram post included a screengrab of The Insneider’s announcement on X (formerly known as Twitter), further confirming the sequel’s development.
This isn’t the first time Gad has been involved in rebooting a film originally starring Rick Moranis. In May 2019, it was revealed that Gad would star in a reboot of “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” another beloved film from the late 1980s. Titled “Shrunk,” the reboot will see Gad playing the grown-up son of Moranis’ character, Wayne Szalinski. Gad has been teasing his involvement in the project since January 2022, sharing updates and expressing his excitement on social media.
In June 2023, Gad provided an update on the “Shrunk” reboot, explaining that production had faced several delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other scheduling conflicts. Despite these setbacks, Gad remains optimistic about the project and has encouraged fans to express their interest to Disney.
As for the “Spaceballs” sequel, fans are eagerly awaiting more details. The original film’s blend of humor and sci-fi references made it a hit, and the sequel promises to deliver more of the same. With Brooks’ involvement and Gad’s passion for the project, the new film is poised to be a worthy successor to the 1987 classic.
Brooks, who has a long history of revisiting his old material, recently produced and starred in the Hulu series “History of the World, Part II,” a follow-up to his 1981 film “History of the World, Part I.” His willingness to return to his earlier works has delighted fans and demonstrated his enduring influence in the world of comedy.
In a 2013 interview, Moranis revealed that Brooks had originally wanted to make a sequel to “Spaceballs” after it became a cult hit on home video. Moranis even had his own pitch for the film, titled “Spaceballs III: The Search for Spaceballs II.” While a deal was never made at the time, the new sequel represents a long-awaited continuation of the beloved franchise.
As the project moves forward, fans can look forward to more updates and, eventually, the release of the highly anticipated “Spaceballs” sequel. With Gad and Brooks at the helm, the film is sure to capture the humor and spirit of the original, bringing joy to a new generation of fans.
