UPDATE June 12 2025: THR reports Bill Pullman's son, Lewis Pullman (Top Gun: Maverick, Thunderbolts*), is in talks to join the Spaceballs 2 cast. Daphne Zuniga, who played Princess Vespa in the original Spaceballs, is also expected to return.
Should talks proceed as planned, Lewis Pullman will appear as Starburst, the son of Bill Pullman's Lone Starr and Zuniga's Princess Vespa. Keke Palmer, meanwhile, is said to play a character named Destiny. She, Starburst, and Josh Gad's mystery character will serve as Spaceballs 2's leads.
Amazon has provided a description for Spaceballs 2: "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."
ORIGINAL STORY June 12 2025: Moviemaking icon Mel Brooks and Amazon MGM Studios have published a teaser trailer to announce that Spaceballs 2 is moving full steam ahead with plans to premiere in 2027 – and it sounds like Rick Moranis is coming back as Dark Helmet, too.
A trailer for the sequel to the classic '80s sci-fi Star Wars parody arrived today. Although it mostly comes with a special message from Brooks himself and a familiar text crawl that pokes fun at the long, long list of sequels that have come to theaters in the last 38 years, this is the most official look at Spaceballs 2 we’ve seen yet.
"After 40 years, we asked, 'What do the fans want?' Brooks says in the Spaceballs 2 trailer. "But instead, we're making this movie."
He added one final send-off: "May the Schwartz be with you."
The sequel, which was announced last year, already has Brooks attached as a producer with Josh Greenbaum attached to direct. While Frozen's Josh Gad was previously the only name joining its cast, Deadline reports that there are a few other notable names set to appear onscreen. These include original stars Bill Pullman, who will reprise his role as Lone Starr, and even Dark Helmet himself, Moranis.
The site reports that Nope and One of Them Days star Keke Palmer is also onboard to play a mystery character. Additionally, Amazon has announced that the 98-year-old Brooks is set to reprise his role as Spaceballs’ comedic take on Yoda, Yogurt (via THR). It's unclear if he will also return as President Skroob.
Joining Brooks as producers are Gad and Imagine Entertainment's Brooks, Greenbaum, Brian Grazer, and Jeb Brody. Gad, Benji Samit, and Dan Hernandez are handling the Spaceballs 2 script, with Samit, Hernandez, Adam Merims, and Kevin Salter also onboard as executive producers.
It's a stellar cast to kick off a sequel nearly 40 years in the making, but it's Moranis' inclusion that should really have fans excited. With credits in films like Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Ghostbusters, Little Shop of Horrors, and, of course, Spaceballs, the star primarily made a name for himself with apperances in movies throughout the '80s. It was an impressive run that came to a halt in the mid-2000s, though, as the actor would step away then stepped away from the limelight. One of his most recent onscreen appearances was a simple ad for Ryan Reynolds' Mint Mobile in 2020.
A firm release date, additional casting information, and plot details all remain to be revealed, but judging by today's first look, it sounds like Brooks and co. haven't missed a beat. We'll learn more about how Spaceballs 2 will follow up the original classic Star Wars spoof movie when it premieres in 2027. In the meantime, be sure to check out our 7/10 review from 2000.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
