Latest news with #Spaceballs'
Los Angeles Times
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘Spaceballs 2' is coming! Wait, what was so cool about the original ‘Spaceballs'?
'Spaceballs 2' is incoming, director Mel Brooks confirmed Thursday on social media, 38 years after the original 'Spaceballs' crashed onto the space-opera scene. Hey, what's a few decades between friends, amirite? Given that three-quarters of the current moviegoing audience was not even born 38 years ago, a person might wonder why they should care about a 'Spaceballs' sequel. Well! We. Have. Answers. The sequel will have a director and that director is not Brooks, perhaps because Brooks is 98 years old. Plus the jokester hasn't directed a movie since 1995's 'Dracula: Dead and Loving It.' But Brooks was, indeed, the auteur behind 'The Producers,' 'Blazing Saddles' and 'Young Frankenstein,' so he might make it in Hollywood someday. Tell the folks at CAA: 'Spaceballs 2' could be the boost his resume needs. The news so far, according to Variety, is this: Brooks will be back as Yogurt — just plain Yogurt — and Josh Gad will star. Perhaps he'll star as Outerspace Olaf, a mercenary snowman who likes warm hugs and thinks a space princess is a person worth melting for. Gad, Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez are writing the script, and Josh Greenbaum ('Barb and Starr Go to Vista Del Mar') will direct. Please don't argue. It's a known fact that Everybody loves Bill Pullman. The 'Spaceballs 2' team loves Bill Pullman so much that, according to Variety, in addition to inviting him to reprise his character from the original comedy, they have also cast his son Lewis Pullman in a role to be named later. Let's hope the elder Pullman's Lone Starr has eased into retirement and Pullman the Younger gets to play a younger version of the Luke Skywalker-scented hero. Exactly! There's still room to improve! ''Spaceballs' might have been much funnier and more inventive on a much smaller budget,' The Times said in its 1987 review of the movie. 'Occasionally the expense pays off, as in the wonderful opening shot of an insanely elaborate starship that sweeps over us against inky infinity, going on and on ... and on and on! But sometimes the elaborate jokes just clang and clunk, as when Lone Starr jams the Spaceballs radar with real jam — and no peanut butter.' That sounds like an argument for half the budget, double the jokes and a variety of Uncrustables at the craft services table. The year 2027 is so close, yet sounds so far, far away. It also will mark the 40th anniversary of the release of the original 'Star Wars' movie, which was once known simply as 'Star Wars,' not 'Star Wars: Episode 4 — A New Hope.' As the glorious celebrations of Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie, Yoda, Obi-Wan and the gang ring out in Hollywood in 2027, 'Spaceballs 2' should land next to them with a resounding fart. A resounding fart joke, at least. Maybe two. Sure, Rick Moranis will be back for 'Spaceballs 2,' per Deadline, reprising the role of Dark Helmet, the villain whose voice resonates and booms when his helmet is down and turns squeaky and annoying when the mask is raised. And Keke Palmer, who was born in 1993, will reportedly have a part as well, though no clues have been given as to who or what she'll play. Just don't have Palmer play Jar Jar Binks' father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate, please, because Dark Helmet already spent that punch line on Lone Starr back in 1987. Jar Jar was, of course, the duck-billed breakout star, sorta, of 1999's 'Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace.' Don't click that link, just take our word for it. That said, you know there just has to be a Jar Jar Binks gag or two in 'Spaceballs 2.' Read aloud with me now: Mesa no tink so, you say? Ex-squeeze me, but yousa be wrong. Terrible tings goen happen if Jar Jar remains nothing more than the most annoying and unnecessary CGI character ever to please George Lucas. Give the Gungan some gas to go with that pidgin English and anything could happen. In our post-#MeToo landscape, rife with 'you can't say that' sensibilities, some 'Spaceballs'-style gags might fall flat. Then again, as The Times said in its 1987 review of the original film, 'This is a multimillion-dollar extravaganza satirizing other multimillion-dollar extravaganzas — which begins to seem a bit like attacking a President by hitting him over the head with another President.' Given that in the occasionally dystopian 2020s, hitting presidents over the head with other presidents is no big deal, the new film might make perfect sense, even if it doesn't improve one bit. Then again, will Yiddish gags play to the keffiyeh-clad youngs? Or will the jokes simply bomb? Only 'Spaceballs 2' will tell.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
WGA East Seals Tentative Deal With Vox Media Management, Narrowly Avoiding Strike
The Writers Guild of America East narrowly avoided a strike against Vox Media, announcing a tentative new three-year deal with management in the early hours of Friday morning. The current contract was set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, and the union had already authorized a strike a few hours prior. More from Deadline SAG-AFTRA Suspends Video Game Strike After Securing Tentative Deal With Major Developers WGA East & FilmNation Reveal 2025 New York Screenwriting Fellowship Participants SAG-AFTRA Inks Tentative New Deal With Major Video Game Developers That Includes "Necessary A.I. Guardrails" Now, the deal needs approval from the WGAE Council's Online Media sector representatives as well as the 250-member Vox Media Union. The union says that details on the contract will be released upon ratification. AI, increased wages and benefits, and additional severance and layoff procedures were among the priorities during this bargaining cycle. There have been multiple rounds of layoffs at Vox Media recently, including in January when the company let go of around 7% of its workforce. The news of this deal comes just over a month after Vox Media sold video game website Polygon to Valnet, which currently owns several entertainment-related aggregation sites including Screen Rant, Game Rant, and Comic Book Resources. That movie also reportedly resulted in mass layoffs at the site, prompting an outcry from the union. 'It is hard to fathom management's commitment to its workers and its readers when this marks the fifth round of layoffs in just the last six months,' the WGAE statement said at the time. The Vox Media Union represents workers across The Verge, Eater, SB Nation, Pop Sugar, Thrillist, Vox Media Podcast Network and The Dodo. Deadline parent company Penske Media Corporation has a stake in Vox Media. Best of Deadline Use The Schwartz!: 'Spaceballs' Movie Photos & Posters 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More 'Stick' Release Guide: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
WGA East Seals Tentative Deal With Vox Media Management, Narrowly Avoiding Strike
The Writers Guild of America East narrowly avoided a strike against Vox Media, announcing a tentative new three-year deal with management in the early hours of Friday morning. The current contract was set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, and the union had already authorized a strike a few hours prior. More from Deadline SAG-AFTRA Suspends Video Game Strike After Securing Tentative Deal With Major Developers WGA East & FilmNation Reveal 2025 New York Screenwriting Fellowship Participants SAG-AFTRA Inks Tentative New Deal With Major Video Game Developers That Includes "Necessary A.I. Guardrails" Now, the deal needs approval from the WGAE Council's Online Media sector representatives as well as the 250-member Vox Media Union. The union says that details on the contract will be released upon ratification. AI, increased wages and benefits, and additional severance and layoff procedures were among the priorities during this bargaining cycle. There have been multiple rounds of layoffs at Vox Media recently, including in January when the company let go of around 7% of its workforce. The news of this deal comes just over a month after Vox Media sold video game website Polygon to Valnet, which currently owns several entertainment-related aggregation sites including Screen Rant, Game Rant, and Comic Book Resources. That movie also reportedly resulted in mass layoffs at the site, prompting an outcry from the union. 'It is hard to fathom management's commitment to its workers and its readers when this marks the fifth round of layoffs in just the last six months,' the WGAE statement said at the time. The Vox Media Union represents workers across The Verge, Eater, SB Nation, Pop Sugar, Thrillist, Vox Media Podcast Network and The Dodo. Deadline parent company Penske Media Corporation has a stake in Vox Media. Best of Deadline Use The Schwartz!: 'Spaceballs' Movie Photos & Posters 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More 'Stick' Release Guide: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Spaceballs': Lewis Pullman in talks to join father Bill Pullman in sequel
Actor Lewis Pullman is ready to reunite with his father onscreen and is in talks to star in the upcoming 'Spaceballs' sequel, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Actor Lewis Pullman is ready to reunite with his father onscreen and is in talks to star in the upcoming 'Spaceballs' sequel, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Almost a decade ago, Lewis Pullman began his acting career by appearing opposite his dad, Bill Pullman , in the western The Ballad of Lefty Brown. Since then, he's forged his path, appearing in high-flying features such as 'Top Gun: Maverick' and Marvel Studios' The Thunderbolts and earning an Emmy nomination for Lessons in Chemistry, as per the outlet. Pullman starred as the Han Solo-esque character Lone Starr in the Mel Brooks-directed film, which was released in 1987 and is fondly remembered for its riffs on Star Wars and other sci-fi staples, from Star Trek to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Amazon MGM Studios is behind the sequel and intends to give it a theatrical release in 2027. Josh Greenbaum is directing from a script by Benji Samit, Dan Hernandez, and Josh Gad. The latter is also starring, along with Keke Palmer . Brooks returns as the Yoda-esque character Yogurt. Rick Moranis and Daphne Zuniga are also expected to return to their roles. As per the sources, Lewis Pullman will play a character named Starburst, the son of Queen Vespa (Zuniga) and Lone Starr (Bill Pullman). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Clean Warehouses = Safe Workplaces SearchMore Learn More Undo Franchise newcomer Palmer will play a role by the name of Destiny. The two, along with Gad, are the leads, as per the outlet. Amazon amiably describes the new project this way, "While the title, plot details, and rest of cast are being kept under wraps, the film has been described by those who have not yet read the script as 'A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two' but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film," according to The Hollywood Reporter. Imagine's Brian Grazer and Jeb Brody are producing alongside Gad, Brooks and Greenbaum. Kevin Slater, Adam Merims, Benji Samit, and Dan Hernandez will be the executive producers. Pullman spent years wanting his acting career to be separate from his relationship with his father, but his philosophy has changed recently. As he said last month, "For a long time, I was like, 'I'm gonna do this on my own and was very stubborn, and I'm so glad that I got over whatever that was because now it's such a gift to be able to share different experiences with my dad and get advice from him," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Newsweek
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
'Spaceballs 2' Recruiting 'Thunderbolts' Star
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Like father, like Thunderbolt. Lewis Pullman, son of Bill Pullman, is in talks to join his father in "Spaceballs 2". That's the word from The Hollywood Reporter, who says that the younger Pullman will fittingly be playing Starburst, the son of Lone Starr (Bill Pullman) and Queen Vespa (Daphne Zuniga). Read More: Mel Brooks Returns to Fan-Favorite 'Spaceballs' Role Lewis Pullman will potentially join a cast that so far is a healthy mix of alum of the original 1987 "Spaceballs" and newcomers to the parody party. Along with the elder Pullman and Zuniga, Mel Brooks will once again play the Yoda-esque Yogurt, and Rick Moranis is ending his long acting hiatus to return as the Darth Vader send-up Lord Dark Helmet. Lewis Pullman, from left, Geraldine Viswanathan, Hannah John-Kamen, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Florence Pugh, Wyatt Russell, and Jake Scheier attend the Walt Disney Studios special screening of "Thunderbolts" at IPIC Fulton Market on Wednesday, April 30, 2025,... Lewis Pullman, from left, Geraldine Viswanathan, Hannah John-Kamen, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Florence Pugh, Wyatt Russell, and Jake Scheier attend the Walt Disney Studios special screening of "Thunderbolts" at IPIC Fulton Market on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in New York. More Christopher Smith/AP Photos Josh Gad and Keke Palmer are leading the cast. Palmer will play a character named Destiny. Gad's character has not yet been disclosed. Amazon MGM's logline calls the follow-up "A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film." "Will & Harper" director Josh Greenbaum is directing the sequel, with a script from Benji Samit, Dan Hernandez, and Josh Gad. The original "Spaceballs" is a hilarious cult classic directed by Mel Brooks. While it's largely a parody of "Star Wars", it also makes sure to poke fun at other science fiction entries like "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Alien", and "Star Trek". Judging by its announcement teaser, 'Spaceballs 2" could be gearing up to target an even broader range of targets. The teaser is a send-up of the famous "Star Wars" opening crawl, and it aptly and hilariously sums up the last few decades of science fiction franchises. First teaser for 'SPACEBALLS 2' In theaters in 2027. — DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 12, 2025 Among other things, the "Spaceballs 2" announcement teaser mentions the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy, which brings us back to Lewis Pullman. Considering he will potentially play the son of the first movie's heroes, it's tempting to speculate he'll be a parody of Adam Driver's Kylo Ren. If so, we can only hope that the Schwartz is with Bill Pullman's Lone Starr and he doesn't join his son on any narrow catwalks above any bottomless pits. Of course, since story details are being kept very tightly under wraps at the moment, our concerns may be premature. "Spaceballs 2" does not yet have a firm release date, but it is scheduled to bow sometime in 2027. More Movies: 'Violent Night 2' Brings Back David Harbour as Blood-Soaked Santa Claus The Controversial 2025 Snow White Remake is Coming to Disney+ for Streaming
