MGM/courtesy Everett Collection; Cory Angelo
A “Spaceballs” sequel is being developed at Amazon MGM Studios, a source close to the production said. DiversityJosh Gad will star in the film and produce it alongside Mel Brooks.
Josh Greenbaum will direct the film and the screenplay is written by Benji Samit, Dan Hernandez and Gad, while Kevin Salter will executive produce. Plot details are under wraps.
The original 1987 MGM film “Spaceballs” starred Bill Pullman as Lone Starr, John Candy as Barf, Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa, Rick Moranis as Lord Dark Helmet and Brooks as President Scrub and Yogurt. The space opera is a parody of both the “Star Wars” franchise and other popular sci-fi franchises such as “Star Trek” and “Alien.”
Gad, best known for his work in “The Book of Mormon” on Broadway and as the voice of the lovable snowman Olaf in the “Frozen” franchise, is now making his directorial debut with the Chris Farley biopic, which will star Paul Walter Hauser as the iconic comedian. He recently starred on Broadway in “Gutenberg! The Musical!” alongside his “Book of Mormon” co-star Andrew Rannells.
This isn't Brooks' first time in recent years reinventing a classic comedy. In 2023, he'll write and produce “History of the World, Part II,” a follow-up to his 1981 feature “Part I.” Brooks, one of the few entertainers to receive the coveted EGOT status, has directed and starred in films such as “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein” and “Robin Hood: Men in Tights.” He was also honored with a Career Achievement Award at the 84th Annual Peabody Awards earlier this month.
Gad is represented by CAA, Sugar 23, Imprint and Johnson Shapiro Slavet & Cooley LLP.
Insnider first reported the news.