For nearly four decades, the only sequel to Spaceballs existed as a single joke, Yogurt’s parting promise that “God willing, we’ll all meet again in Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money.” It was funny precisely because it was never going to happen. The universe does not reward optimism. The universe gives you three disjointed Star Wars sequels and tells you to be grateful.
And then, a 99-year-old Mel Brooks appeared and proved us wrong.
The official title is Spaceballs: The New One, a name that is somehow both completely lazy and deeply perfect. The film reunites original cast members Rick Moranis as Lord Dark Helmet, George Wyner as Colonel Sandurz, Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa, and Bill Pullman as Lone Starr, with Brooks returning as the Yoda-esque Yogurt. Joining them are Josh Gad, Keke Palmer, Anthony Carrigan, and Lewis Pullman, who is Bill Pullman’s real son, making this either a lovely piece of casting symmetry or the most aggressively on-brand nepotism in Hollywood history. Possibly both.
Also, this will be Rick Moranis’ first live-action cinematic role since 1997’s Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves. Moranis, the man who stepped away from the entire industry and just… didn’t come back for almost thirty years, is finally lured out of retirement for a Space Balls sequel. Incredible.
The original Spaceballs took decades to become a genuine classic. The sequel has enormous shoes to fill, a fanbase that has waited 38 years, and the impossible task of making a parody movie in an era where reality itself is already parodying everything. No pressure.
