Mel Brooks is 100 years old, and he had absolutely no intention of letting anything, not even time itself, keep Yogurt out of the new Spaceballs movie. The comedy legend, who directed the original Spaceballs back in 1987, personally insisted that his scenes for Spaceballs: The New One be shot first, before the rest of the cast even stepped in front of the camera.
Mel Brooks (Credits: IGN)
The revelation came from actress Daphne Zuniga, who reprises her role as Vespa (now Queen), speaking at this past weekend’s 90s Con. “We filmed Spaceballs: The New One that Mel Brooks worked with the writers on. He’s a big influence in it,” Zuniga told the crowd. “He filmed his part already before we shot. It was his idea: ‘You better film me now because I’m 100.’ So we did.”
Brooks not only returned to the franchise, he also worked directly with the writers on the sequel, ensuring his fingerprints are all over the follow-up to one of the most beloved sci-fi parodies ever made.
A Beloved Cast Returns
Zuniga is joined by Bill Pullman as the roguish Lone Starr, with a delightful family twist: Lewis Pullman, Bill’s real-life son, plays their child, Prince Starburst. In one of the most anticipated comebacks in years, Rick Moranis returns as the villainous Dark Helmet, opposite George Wyner as his flunky Colonel Sandurz.
The sequel also brings fresh blood to the Schwartz. Josh Gad appears as Mawg, alongside Keke Palmer as Destiny and Anthony Carrigan, rounding out a cast that bridges the original’s charm with new comedy firepower.
The Hype Machine Is in Full Swing
The publicity campaign has been pure Brooks-style comedy in itself, spoofing an 11-film slate for the so-called Spaceballs Cinematic Universe, teasing a now-digital Yogurt with ripped abs, and parodying The Force Awakens table read photo.
Josh Greenbaum (Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) directs from a script by Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez, with Josh Gad also contributing to the screenplay. Amazon MGM Studios will release Spaceballs: The New One in 2027.
Nearly four decades after the original took aim at Star Wars, the Schwartz is about to awaken once more, and Mel Brooks made damn sure he was there to see it.
Also Read: Modern Warfare 4 Rescues the Reboot Series by Channelling Call of Duty’s Greatest Era
Source: IGN — read the full story there.
