Spaceballs 2 is finally happening, even after 37 years have passed since Mel Brooks’ original Star Wars parody. The original Spaceballs came out in 1987, four years after George Lucas completed the original Star Wars trilogy. Even though Star Wars continued on in many forms over the decades, Lone Starr, Barf, Princess Vespa, and Dark Helmet did not get a chance to return to the big screen in the years that followed. This did not eliminate the belief that a sequel would be made at some point, and the announcement of Josh Gad developing Spaceballs 2 means it is finally time.

Amazon MGM is moving forward with Josh Gad’s Spaceballs 2, which he will star in and produce. Mel Brooks is also involved as a producer, but he is not writing or directing this sequel. This marks a shift for the sequel, as an entirely new creative team is spearheading development after decades of Brooks considering a return to the galaxy. That makes it all the more surprising that Spaceballs 2 is finally happening, but there are a number of reasons why it took so long for the Schwartz to return for another movie.

Spaceballs Was Not A Major Hit Upon Its Release

It’s Become A Cult Classic

One of the main reasons why Spaceballs 2 did not happen any earlier is because the original movie was not a major success. The film only made $38.1 million at the box office after reportedly carrying a $22.7 million budget. That means the film was likely not a profitable release in theaters as the box office did not double the cost. Spaceballs also received mixed-to-negative reviews initially when it was released. Since the film initially fell short of becoming a major hit, MGM did not have an immediate incentive to bring Brooks and the cast back for another installment.

Spaceballs‘ legacy has changed drastically in the decades since its release, though. The movie became a cult classic and a beloved spoof of Star Wars and other sci-fi franchises. Disney even utilized the recognizability of the film and Brooks’ characters in one of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker‘s trailers. The increased notoriety of Spaceballs has helped make the idea of Spaceballs 2 happening now more understandable, as it will now be another example of Hollywood capitalizing on known nostalgic IP.

Multiple Spaceballs 2 Ideas Failed To Move Forward Before

Mel Brooks Previously Tried To Make A Sequel

Josh Gad’s new Spaceballs 2 idea is not the first time that a sequel has been developed, but none of the others made it this far. Dark Helmet actor Rick Moranis confirmed to Heeb Magazine in 2013 that conversations about Spaceballs 2 began about two or three years after the original film came out and became a cult video hit. He and Brooks could not come to terms on a deal for him to return for the film, which he suggested should be titled Spaceballs III: The Search For Spaceballs II.

Mel Brooks also floated the idea of making Spaceballs 2: The Search For More Money so it could come out shortly after Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He said on Take A Knee in 2015 that he was thinking about doing the sequel in the near future. Brooks implied that Moranis and Princess Vespa actress Daphne Zuniga would both return. He also insinuated that it would mostly be a financial play as Spaceballs 2 coming out right after The Force Awakens would help give the film a big opening weekend. But, the movie never materialized from there.

Spaceballs 2 Can Capitalize On Star Wars’ Revival Under Disney

There Is New Material To Spoof

It is also notable that Spaceballs 2 is now happening after Disney fully revived Star Wars. Brooks has always had the franchise tied to the status of Star Wars, and the timing of making a sequel now that Disney’s sequel trilogy is done could be perfect. In the years since Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Lucasfilm and Disney have pumped out multiple movies and TV shows. This provides Spaceballs 2 with a plethora of new material to spoof and jokes it can make at Star Wars‘ expense.

Instead of Spaceballs 2 happening at a time when there was only the original trilogy or prequels to riff on, the sequel can now take everything from Disney’s Star Wars trilogy, The Mandalorian, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and more into consideration. The fact that most of these projects have been quite popular at the box office or on streaming also suggests the audience is big enough that a funny spoof could find success, too. Spaceballs 2 might be arriving at just the right time then. If it’s big enough, perhaps Spaceballs 3 will also happen.

Sources: Heeb Magazine, Take A Knee