Josh Gad is attached to produce and star in a Spaceballs sequel in early development at Amazon MGM Studios, which Mel Brooks will also produce, Deadline can confirm.
Josh Greenbaum (Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) will direct from Gad’s script written with Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez (Detective Pikachu). Details as to the plot are under wraps. Kevin Salter will serve as executive producer on the project.
Directed by Brooks, the original Spaceballs was a send-up of the sci-fi genre released by MGM in 1987. The film’s plot revolves around the evil Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis) and President Skroob (Brooks), who attempt to steal the atmosphere of the peaceful planet Druidia, only to be thwarted by the hero Lone Starr (Bill Pullman), his sidekick Barf (John Candy), and the Druish princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga).
Others in the cast included Joan Rivers and Dick Van Patten. Pic grossed just over $38.1 worldwide but has built a devoted following through the years as a cult classic.
Previously teaming with Greenbaum on his live-action/animation hybrid Strays for Universal, Gad currently stars opposite Isla Fisher on the Peacock series Wolf Like Me, which has been renewed for a second season.
A legendary actor and comedic filmmaker, Brooks most recently co-created Hulu’s History of the World: Part II, a series following up his classic 1981 comedy History of the World, Part I. He also served as the narrator for that series and made a recent appearance as himself on Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building.
In addition to Strays and the cult comedy Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, starring Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, Greenbaum has helped episodes of series like Fresh Off the Boat and Single Parents. Most recently, he directed the Will Ferrell doc Will & Harper, which Netflix acquired out of Sundance.
Notable credits for screenwriters Samit and Hernandez include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle: Mutant Mayhem, Pokemon Detective Pikachu, The Addams Family 2, and the upcoming Disney+/Lucasfilm special Lego Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy.
The InSneider’s Jeff Sneider was first to the news of the sequel.
