UPDATE: Woah. This project just got wilder. Deadline is reporting that Rick Moranis, who left Hollywood years ago, is set to return for the sequel. Ditto Bill Pullman. They’ve also added Keke Palmer for good measure.
Moranis stepped away from the industry in the late 1990s to focus on raising his children after the death of his wife. He never formally retired but has been turning down roles, and interviews, for over three decades now. Apparently, “Spaceballs 2” was too good to pass on.
Moranis had a string of beloved comedic roles from the 1980s and early 1990s, and with “Spaceballs” included, is best known for “Ghostbusters,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” “Parenthood,” and The Flintstones.”
EARLIER: There was some doubting it would ever see the light of day, but Josh Gad’s “Spaceballs 2” is actually happening.
Amazon/MGM has announced 2027 release date for the “Spaceballs” sequel. Furthermore, Mel Brooks is set to reprise his role as Yogurt, a riff on Yoda, and alien mentor to original protagonist Lone Starr (Bill Pullman).
Brooks will be 101 years old by the time the sequel gets released, two years from now. Bless his heart. What a legend. I hope he will be with us and healthy enough to witness this movie on the big screen.
Cheekily described as “A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film,” the sequel will be directed by Josh Greenbaum (“Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar”) with a script co-penned by Josh Gad who will also be producing, and has spearheaded this passion project of his for many years now.
Last year, Gad told Forbes, the people who have read his script were “ blown away” by it.
It’s been 38 years since Brooks’ “Spaceballs” was released in theaters, and the thought of a sequel occurring is as ludicrous as, say, “This is Spinal Tap 2” (which is also happening). Regardless, Brooks, almost 99 years young, doesn’t seem to be involved creatively, and that’s already a major omission to the spirit of the original. Regardless, he’ll be back as Yogurt.