Spaceballs is getting a sequel 37 years after the film’s release, and with Spaceballs 2, the potential for several of the original actors to reprise their roles. Spaceballs 2 is currently in development at 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 extend Spaceballs as 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 original Spaceballs cast have passed away in the years since 1987, but there are still some members who could play their memorable characters again in Spaceballs 2.
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6
Bill Pullman
Lone Starr
Bill Pullman played the heroic Lone Starr, a character who parodied Star Wars‘ Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. Since 1987, Pullman has appeared in a variety of films and television series, with his most famous role being President Thomas J. Whitmore in Independence Day. As the protagonist of Spaceballs, 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 2 can use his character to cleverly spoof the highly divisive reaction to how these legendary characters were handled in the Star Wars sequel trilogy films. Spaceballs 2 may even take a page out of The Force Awakens‘ Luke story and not have him appear until the very end of the film, which could be a 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.
5
Daphne 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 in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi could be tastefully honored with Spaceballs 2‘s take on Princess Vespa. Zuniga has performed in numerous projects since Spaceballs, with her latest appearance being in the reality series The Masked Singer. Unfortunately, Princess Vespa can’t reunite with Candy’s Barf or Dot Matrix, voiced by Rivers, but Zuniga and Pullman returning could deliver a Princess Vespa and Lone Starr reunion.
4
Rick Moranis
Dark Helmet
With his hilarious and memorable performance as Lord Dark Helmet in Spaceballs, a Rick Moranis return feels important for Spaceballs 2. The main issue with this is that Moranis has retired from acting. His last live-action role was in 1997’s Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves, and he has not done voicework for a film since 2006’s Brother Bear 2. He did not return for any of the recent sequels reviving Ghostbusters, 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 the juxtaposition 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.
3
Mel Brooks
President Skroob & Yogurt
Since Brooks is confirmed to be a producer on Spaceballs 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 the Star Wars prequel and sequel trilogies. Considering that The Mandalorian‘s Grogu, a young member of Yoda’s species, has become a popular cultural phenomenon, perhaps a younger Yogurt could be introduced in Spaceballs 2.
Yogurt famously said in Spaceballs, “God willing, we’ll all meet again in Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money.” A Spaceballs 2 can’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.
2
Michael Winslow
Radar Technician
Despite playing an unnamed radar technician, Michael Winslow delivers one of Spaceball‘s best quotes with 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 to his distinctive voice and impeccable comedic timing.
Since Spaceballs, Winslow has played the role of Sergeant Larvell Jones in various Police Academy sequels, a spinoff series, and in Robot Chicken. He’s done a range of other projects as well, ranging from Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! to competing in the reality series America’s Got Talent. Winslow hasn’t lost his comedic touch, which, along with his Spaceballs legacy, makes him a natural fit to return in the sequel.
1
George 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 as Station 19, A Million Little Things, Grace and Frankie, and The 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 in Spaceballs, Star Wars now has a more extensive range of prominent Imperial officials that Sandurz can parody, including Rogue One‘s Orson Krennic, the sequel trilogy’s General Armitage Hux and Allegiant General Enric Pryde, along with Andor‘s ISB agent Dedra Meero and Major Partagaz. Sandurz was the commander of Spaceball One in Spaceballs, and, in Spaceballs 2, he can be the commander of Spaceball Two.
Spaceballs
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Directed by Mel Brooks, Spaceballs parodies a number of beloved science fiction classics, most notably Star Wars. The film stars Bill Pullman as Lone Starr, a mercenary who helps rescue Princess Vespa from the clutches of the evil Spaceballs who wish to use her as a ransom. While on the run, Lone Starr, Vespa, and company are pursued by Spaceball commanders Dark Helmet and Colonel Sandurz, whose bumbling attempts to retrieve Vespa make up much of the comedy of the film. Bill Pullman stars as Lone Starr, with a further cast that includes Rick Moranis, John Candy, Daphne Zuniga, and Joan Rivers.
- Director
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Mel Brooks
- Release Date
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June 24, 1987
- Studio(s)
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Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Distributor(s)
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Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Writers
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Mel Brooks
, Ronny Graham
, Thomas Meehan - Cast
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John Candy
, Daphne Zuniga
, Mel Brooks
, Rick Moranis
, Bill Pullman - Runtime
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96 minutes
- Budget
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$22.7 million