Summary
Spaceballsis getting a sequel 37 years after the film’s release, and withSpaceballs 2, the potential for several of the original actors to reprise their roles.Spaceballs 2is currently in developmentat Amazon MGM Studios, with Josh Gad set to star and Mel Brooks returning as a producer. Gad is co-writing a script with Benjit Samit and Dan Hernandez. It will be directed by Josh Greenbaum, although specific plot details are being kept under wraps.
This isn’t the first attempt to extendSpaceballsas there was a short-lived animated television series that lasted for one season, in which Brooks, who co-created the series, voiced President Skroob, along with Daphne Zuniga voicing Princess Vespa and Joan Rivers voicing Dot Matrix.Rivers, John Candy, and other members of the originalSpaceballscast have passed awayin the years since 1987, but there are still some members who could play their memorable characters again inSpaceballs 2.
10 Recent Sci-Fi Movies That Amazon’s Spaceballs 2 Must Spoof
Mel Brooks is working on Spaceballs 2 at Amazon. From Avatar to Interstellar, there are plenty of recent sci-fi movies that the sequel could spoof.
6Bill Pullman
Lone Starr
Bill Pullman played the heroic Lone Starr, a character who parodiedStar Wars' Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. Since 1987, Pullman has appeared in a variety of films and television series, with his most famous role beingPresident Thomas J. Whitmore inIndependence Day. As the protagonist ofSpaceballs,a sequel naturally needs to see Lone Starr return, or at the very least have him pass the torch to the next generation, perhaps to the character Gad will be playing.
With Lone Starr being a parody of Luke and Han,Spaceballs 2can use his character to cleverly spoof the highly divisive reaction to how these legendary characters were handled in theStar Warssequel trilogy films.Spaceballs 2may even take a page out ofThe Force Awakens' Luke story and not have him appear until the very end of the film, which could bea way to bring Pullman back without needing him to play one of the main roles, although it would be preferable to give the actor a more substantial part. Any way that Pullman returns will feel somewhat disappointing without him being able to reunite with Candy, though.
5Daphne Zuniga
Princess Vespa
Princess Leia, whom Daphne Zuniga’s Princess Vespa parodies, has become even more of an icon than she was in 1987. This is due to many factors, including the evolving depiction of female heroes in the media, along with the eye-opening candidness of Leia actor Carrie Fisher. With this in mind, it would be intriguing to see how a modern-day portrayal of Princess Vespa would change.
Fisher’s sharp wit and the combination of humor and heart she brought to Leia inThe Force AwakensandThe Last Jedicould be tastefully honored withSpaceballs 2’s take on Princess Vespa. Zuniga has performed in numerous projects sinceSpaceballs, with her latest appearance being in the reality seriesThe Masked Singer. Unfortunately, Princess Vespa can’t reunite with Candy’s Barf or Dot Matrix, voiced by Rivers, but Zuniga and Pullman returningcould deliver a Princess Vespa and Lone Starr reunion.
4Rick Moranis
Dark Helmet
With his hilarious and memorable performance as Lord Dark Helmet inSpaceballs, aRick Moranis return feels important forSpaceballs 2. The main issue with this is thatMoranis has retired from acting. His last live-action role was in 1997’sHoney, We Shrunk Ourselves, and he has not done voicework for a film since 2006’sBrother Bear 2. He did not return for any of the recent sequels revivingGhostbusters, another science-fiction comedy in which he had a memorable role.
A sequel without Moranis as Dark Helmet will likely be unable to recapture the comedic heights of its predecessor. Some of that humor was grounded in thejuxtaposition between the bumbling Dark Helmet and the stoic, formidable villain he was parodying, Darth Vader. In many ways, Dark Helmet could work just as well as a parody of Kylo Ren, with both characters prone to emotional outbursts and severely overcompensating due to their insecurities.
3Mel Brooks
President Skroob & Yogurt
Since Brooks is confirmed to be a producer onSpaceballs 2,his return may be the most viable out of the entire cast. With President Skroob parodying Emperor Palpatine and Yogurt parodying Yoda, there is ample story material released since 1987 that can be parodied, including theStar Warsprequel and sequel trilogies. Considering thatThe Mandalorian’s Grogu, a young member of Yoda’s species, has become a popular cultural phenomenon, perhaps a younger Yogurt could be introduced inSpaceballs 2.
Yogurt famously said inSpaceballs,“God willing, we’ll all meet again in Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money.“ASpaceballs 2can’t happen without this line being at least being acknowledged, and there’s no one better to acknowledge it than Yogurt himself. Given his involvement, Brooks could appear or just have a small cameo as a new character as well, but featuring him without the return of President Skroob or Yogurt would be a missed opportunity.
2Michael Winslow
Radar Technician
Despite playing an unnamed radar technician, Michael Winslow delivers one ofSpaceball’s best quoteswith the line,“I’ve lost the bleeps, I’ve lost the sweeps, and I’ve lost the creeps"as he reenacts the various sounds that the ship’s radar is making. Winslow took what could have been a forgettable role in a brief scene and turned it into one of the movie’s funniest and most quotable parts. This is largely due tohis distinctive voice and impeccable comedic timing.
SinceSpaceballs, Winslow has played the role of Sergeant Larvell Jones in variousPolice Academysequels, a spinoff series, and inRobot Chicken. He’s done a range of other projects as well, ranging fromSharknado 3: Oh Hell No!to competing in the reality seriesAmerica’s Got Talent. Winslow hasn’t lost his comedic touch, which, along with hisSpaceballslegacy, makes hima natural fit to return in the sequel.
1George Wyner
Colonel Sandurz
Much of Dark Helmet’s comedy stems from the nonsensical commands he gives to Colonel Sandurz. If Moranis returns to play Dark Helmet, it would only feel complete if George Wyner returns to play Colonel Sandurz,reviving the dynamic of the incompetent villainous duo. Wyner is still actively involved in the entertainment industry, appearing in recent years in television series such asStation 19,A Million Little Things,Grace and Frankie, andThe Umbrella Academy.
His recent roles increase the likelihood of him reprising the role of Colonel Sandurz. While the character was meant to parody Grand Moff Tarkin inSpaceballs,Star Warsnow has a moreextensive range of prominent Imperial officials that Sandurz can parody, includingRogue One’s Orson Krennic, the sequel trilogy’s General Armitage Hux and Allegiant General Enric Pryde, along withAndor’s ISB agent Dedra Meero and Major Partagaz. Sandurz was the commander ofSpaceball OneinSpaceballs, and, inSpaceballs 2, he can be the commander ofSpaceball Two.
Spaceballs
Cast
Spaceballs is a 1987 comedic science fiction film directed by Mel Brooks. It follows Lone Starr and his sidekick as they confront the villainous Dark Helmet, who schemes to kidnap Princess Vespa and steal her planet’s air. They encounter Yogurt, who introduces them to the mystical power known as “The Schwartz.”
