Mel Brooks just slipped a whoopee cushion under franchise culture. Spaceballs 2 has wrapped filming, and I can confirm Brooks is back as co-writer and the voice of both Yogurt and President Skroob. At 99, he guided this sequel with a light touch and a sharp pen, staying off set but very much in charge of the laugh meter. This is not a rumor mill moment, this is the real thing, and it hits like ludicrous speed.
The News
Principal photography on Spaceballs 2 finished on December 1 in Sydney. The galaxy is safe for satire again. Brooks did not travel to set, but he locked in script work and recorded his roles in remote sessions. He also sent a warm voice note to cast when key roles were locked, the kind of old school class move only he can pull off.
The film targets a 2027 U.S. theatrical release. That timing also makes it a 40th birthday party for the original. The sequel is not a copy and paste job. It pokes at modern franchise sprawl, while letting fans cheer the absurdity they love. Think merch jokes, lore jokes, and reboot jokes, all wrapped in Brooks’ bright gold comedy foil. [IMAGE_1]
Rick Moranis returns as Dark Helmet. It is his first live action movie role in decades, and yes, the helmet still looms.
The Brooks Factor
This is a late career swing with fresh power. Brooks turns 100 in June 2026, yet he is still sharpening punchlines and flipping sacred cows. He did not need to be on set to be present. You can feel his rhythm in the jokes and the pauses. The script treats the original with affection, then sneaks in a banana peel.
Brooks has always known how to roast the moment without burning it. Here he turns the lens on today’s sequel machine. He lets the film be the thing it teases, and that is the joke. It is self aware, never sour, and built to pack theaters with families who quote along.
Cast Comebacks and New Blood
Moranis coming back is an emotional jolt. Fans who grew up with him get the full circle moment. He steps in as if he never left, with a glare you can hear.
Legacy stars return to anchor the heart. Bill Pullman and Daphne Zuniga step back into their space boots. New faces spark the engine. Lewis Pullman plays Starburst, the child of Lone Starr and Princess Vespa. Keke Palmer brings high voltage as Destiny. Anthony Carrigan slots in with that cool, left field bite. George Wyner returns as Colonel Sandurz because, of course, someone has to shout “We are at comb the desert.”
Behind the camera, Josh Greenbaum directs with a playful touch. Josh Gad co-writes and co-produces, teaming with Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez. The ship sails under Amazon MGM Studios, with producing muscle that includes Brian Grazer and Jeb Brody. The vibe is clear. Big studio scale, Brooks brand mischief.
- Key wins for fans:
- Brooks voicing Yogurt and Skroob
- Moranis back in the helmet
- Legacy cast plus bold newcomers
- A sequel that laughs at sequels
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Why It Matters Now
Spaceballs 2 arrives in an era ruled by cinematic universes. That gives Brooks the perfect target. The film riffs on prequels, reboots, and spin offs, then hands you a heartfelt, goofy adventure that stands on its own. Nostalgia is the welcome mat, not the furniture.
This wrap is more than a production milestone. It is a signal that comedy elders can still plant flags. It is also a sign that fan love can lure a legend like Moranis back for the right story. The humor aims broad, the craft feels precise, and the timing, in this franchise heavy moment, is delicious.
Mark it. Spaceballs 2 is on course for a 2027 U.S. release, lining up with the original’s 40th anniversary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Mel Brooks on screen in Spaceballs 2?
A: He returns as the voices of Yogurt and President Skroob. He did not appear on set.
Q: When does Spaceballs 2 come out?
A: It is slated for a 2027 theatrical release in the United States.
Q: Is Rick Moranis really back?
A: Yes. He returns as Dark Helmet. It is his first live action movie role in years.
Q: Where did the film shoot?
A: Principal photography wrapped in Sydney on December 1.
Q: Who is making the sequel?
A: Josh Greenbaum directs. Josh Gad co writes and co produces with a team that includes Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez under the Amazon MGM Studios banner.
Mel Brooks has never been shy about pressing the big red button labeled Do Not Push. With Spaceballs 2 locked from set to sound booth, he pushes it again, and the laugh rings out. The legend is still writing, still riffing, and still daring the industry to laugh at itself. May the Schwartz be with 2027.
