The Funny Story Behind Josh Gad Pitching Spaceballs 2 To Mel Brooks Involves Decades Of Star Wars History And The ‘Greatest Compliment’

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Back in one of the most hilarious parody films, “Spaceballs,” the sagely Yogurt once prophesied a sequel titled “Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money.” It’s been over three decades since this space-themed spoof had us rolling with laughter, and yet, we’re still eagerly anticipating the return of its zany cast. As Josh Gad reminisces about bringing a new “Spaceballs” installment to life, he shares an amusing tale of pitching the sequel to creator Mel Brooks – an anecdote woven with decades of “Star Wars” legacy and what he considers the highest form of flattery from him.

The most we’ve approached a follow-up to the movie Spaceballs was through G4’s short-lived animated series, Spaceballs: The Animated Series, which was more of a reinterpretation rather than a direct sequel. A proposed second Spaceballs that never materialized was initially considered in 2013, with Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet expressing that he and Mel Brooks were unable to agree on terms for it. Two years later, Brooks intended to produce Spaceballs 2, with plans for filming to commence following Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but the project never came to fruition.

After discussions with MGM, it’s official – a sequel to the classic comedy “Spaceballs” is in development! Josh Gad will not only be starring, but also co-producing and contributing to the script’s writing. In an episode of the podcast “Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa”, Gad shared an amusing anecdote about his encounter with his idol, Mel Brooks. During his stint on FX series “The Comedians”, he had the opportunity to meet Brooks when he appeared as a guest star. Being such a devoted fan of one of the most iconic ’80s films, Gad recounted a humorous incident where he pitched his concept to Brooks.

Initially, when we shared our idea for the film with Mel, who wasn’t fully familiar with the recent Star Wars movies, he expressed his lack of knowledge and asked for a detailed explanation. So, I spent around 40 minutes meticulously outlining every aspect of the script – from each line to every comedic element, every reveal, and how it connected to specific Star Wars moments. After my presentation, there was a moment of silence before he exclaimed, ‘Wow, Josh! It seems like you’ve got a keen understanding of what’s happening!’ I appreciated the compliment, even though Mel didn’t provide any context for it, but his trust in my explanation was valuable.

In summary, Josh Gad’s impression of Mel Brooks on a podcast episode was remarkably accurate. It must have been quite an honor for Gad to receive praise from Brooks, who is renowned for creating the comedy film genre. Given that Gad presented a detailed 40-minute pitch for a potential sequel in the style of “Spaceballs,” it’s evident he’s a fan of Brooks’ work. As the “Star Wars” franchise has grown since the 1987 classic, there are numerous opportunities for parody in potential sequels, prequels, and even television shows. In essence, Brooks’ trust in Gad to handle his comedic masterpiece is a sincere compliment.

In a recent update from November, Josh Gad shared that the draft for “Spaceballs 2” was completed, with those who read the script expressing astonishment. The Tony award-winning actor further discussed his enthusiasm for the eagerly awaited sequel, hinting at what fans can anticipate, stating it in his own words.

I’ve never been more thrilled about any project I’ve been part of. The script embodies everything we dreamed of and even exceeds expectations. Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, and I wrote it as a heartfelt tribute to not just Spaceballs, but also Mel Brooks in general. It’s a sequel with a capital ‘S,’ and we have many surprises up our sleeves. Unfortunately, before Amazon’s space force takes aim, I must stop here, but let me assure you that progress is swift, and we’re beyond excited. Mel is heavily engaged in the process.

Hearing news such as that stirs immense enthusiasm within me, as a devotee of Spaceballs. Not only does it promise a dose of nostalgia connected to the hilarious parody comedy it spawned, but also offers excitement about the visionary behind some of cinema’s most brilliant spoofs. The films of Mel Brooks have an uncanny ability to resonate with audiences by revisiting absurd situations reminiscent of our favorite movies, political issues, and everyday life in general. I can’t help but wonder how a contemporary sequel of the timeless sci-fi comedy might appear and what elements would be lampooned this time around.

It has been revealed that the upcoming sci-fi movie parody, which Mel Brooks is planning to produce and Josh Gad will star in, will be directed by Josh Greenbaum, who previously helmed the film Strays. Interestingly, Greenbaum has a connection to the Star Wars franchise as he profiled sound designers of the series in the documentary short Behind the Mac: Skywalker Sound. This suggests that he is passionate about the George Lucas film series and we might expect some humor related to the recent Star Wars films. Fingers crossed for a reference to a certain Jedi’s dislike of sand!

Since Gad is a die-hard fan of the initial film, I’m certain he’ll leave viewers amazed by the follow-up in much the same way Brooks did with his parody film. Until we hear about the sequel’s release date, you can enjoy the original movie on your AMC+ streaming service instead.

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2025-01-23 05:07