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Yes, you read that right. Mel Brooks is returning to the big screen — and to the Spaceballs universe — for a long-awaited sequel to his 1987 sci-fi spoof classic. And before you ask: yes, Yogurt is back. May the Schwartz be with us all.
The 99-Year-Old Legend Isn’t Slowing Down
Brooks, who turns 99 this month, is officially reprising his role as Yogurt in the upcoming Spaceballs sequel, now in development at Amazon-MGM. This marks the return of a film that lovingly roasted Star Wars back before everyone and their cousin tried to build cinematic universes.
Back in 1987, Brooks co-wrote, directed, and starred in Spaceballs, alongside comedy icons John Candy, Rick Moranis, and Bill Pullman. The movie got a lukewarm reception at the time, but it slowly built a cult following — especially among kids who somehow saw Spaceballs before Star Wars. (Lookin’ at you, Josh Gad.)
Josh Gad Is Co-Writing — and May Be Starring
Speaking of Gad, he’s co-writing the sequel and may also be stepping in front of the camera. On Instagram, Gad joked, “I saw Spaceballs before I saw Star Wars and wondered why anyone would do a dramatic remake of the Mel Brooks classic.”
Honestly, fair.
Gad says working with Mel Brooks on this sequel is “the greatest gift of my life.” That’s… a bold statement, but okay.
Josh Greenbaum Will Direct
The film will be directed by Josh Greenbaum, whose credits include the chaotic talking dog comedy Strays, the surreal Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, and the road trip doc Will & Harper with Will Ferrell. He was also attached to a Care Bears movie, because sure, why not?
Who Else Is Coming Back?
Deadline is reporting that both Rick Moranis (Dark Helmet, obviously) and Bill Pullman (Lone Starr) are expected to return. This is huge, especially considering Brooks once said in a 2014 interview that he wouldn’t do a sequel without Moranis:
“Without Rick, I wouldn’t do it. I’ve got the helmet in storage, just waiting for him. It’ll fit nobody else. Rick is five-five-and-a-half. It’s a perfect fit for the big helmet.”
Newcomer Keke Palmer is also reportedly joining the cast after her sleeper hit One of Them Days.
What’s the Plot? Nobody Knows (Literally)
Amazon-MGM is keeping things tightly under wraps. No plot, no title, no full cast list. But apparently, insiders who haven’t read the script (we’re not kidding) describe the movie as:
“A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two… but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film.”
Which tells us exactly nothing and yet somehow everything at the same time.
The Legacy of Mel Brooks
Mel Brooks is one of only 21 people to have achieved EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). The last time we saw him on the big screen was in 2005’s The Producers (based on the Broadway musical, which was based on his 1967 film — it’s Brooks all the way down). More recently, he’s lent his voice to animated films and shows.
And now, at 99, he’s returning to a galaxy sort of far, far away.
When Can We Expect Spaceballs 2?
The sequel is scheduled to hit theaters in 2027, assuming the Schwartz doesn’t cause a production delay. And if this all feels too good to be true, don’t worry — Mel Brooks himself confirmed it on Bluesky:
“I told you we’d be back.”
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