Josh Gad, the comedic star known for his roles in Frozen and other hits, has taken on the formidable task of pitching the sequel to the beloved sci-fi comedy Spaceballs to its legendary creator, Mel Brooks. During his appearance on the podcast Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa, Gad revealed the humorous and slightly nerve-wracking experience of explaining decades of Star Wars lore to the 98-year-old filmmaker who hadn’t kept pace with the franchise’s latest films.
Gad recalled how he faced the challenge head-on, saying, "Mel is incredibly involved... I just have to share this funny story. Mel wasn't necessarily, at the time, up to date on all of the latest Star Wars films. When I was pitching him the original conceit for what we wanted to do with the film, he goes, 'I want you to really go detail because I don't know a lot about the new Star Wars films.' And I said, 'Okay.'"
For 40 minutes, Gad laid out his vision, explaining each comedic twist and reference to contemporary Star Wars moments. He humorously described the ordeal, likening himself to “a combat vet just going to war,” and shared, “I’m sweating, I am getting every line and every beat and every comedic set piece.” The tension unfolded as he painted the vivid details of his sequel pitch, complete with heartfelt enthusiasm.
After his lengthy presentation, Gad received what he considered the ultimate compliment from Brooks: "Wow. Josh, it really looks like you've got your finger on the pulse!" It was both charming and affirming, even if it came from someone less versed with the newer Star Wars installments.
Following the 1987 original Spaceballs, which provided parodic commentary primarily on the Star Wars trilogy up to then, the sequel, now being developed at Amazon MGM Studios, stands to encompass much more. Since the release of the original film, the Star Wars universe has expanded significantly, adding eight new films and several television series since 1987, marking more than thirty years of content ripe for satire.
Gad, who is co-writing the screenplay with Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit—known for their work on Detective Pikachu and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem—is excited to revisit this sci-fi satire. Josh Greenbaum, who directed Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, has signed on to helm the project, bringing his own flair and creativity to one of comedy’s iconic franchises.
Gad’s passion for this project has been palpable, with him describing the upcoming film as “a love letter to not only Spaceballs but to all things Mel Brooks.” Although Gad is keeping production details under wraps, he jokingly lamented the potential consequences of disclosing too much, quipping about possibly being on the receiving end of “Amazon Space Force.”
While no release date has been officially set, the timeline speculates loosely around 2025, depending on the swift commencement of production. Speculation among fans also swirls around the potential titles like Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money, echoing Yogurt's iconic prophecy from the original film, or even Spaceballs: The Schwartz Awakens, riffing on the newer franchise’s themes.
Gad’s prior connection with Mel Brooks extends beyond the confines of this sequel; he previously appeared alongside him on the Hulu series History of the World Part II. The admiration he has for Brooks is evident as he characterizes the experience of collaborating with the filmmaker as “one of the highlights of my career.”
While Brooks may not be up to date with the latest Jedi exploits, Gad’s enthusiasm and knowledge promise to be the connective thread, unifying the legacy of Spaceballs with the modern tribulations of the Star Wars universe.
Overall, fans eagerly anticipate how the sequel will embrace both Brooks’ original comedic essence and the new directions the Star Wars narrative has taken over the decades. The upcoming film aims to bridge nostalgia and fresh content, proving once again how humor is timeless when skillfully blended with contemporary themes.