After nearly four decades,Spaceballsis getting a sequel. That sentence alone would’ve once sounded like a joke pulled from the movie itself, but now it’s a reality –Mel Brooksis returning to the galaxy of interstellar absurdity. The original 1987 film remains a beloved parody, not purely for its humor, but for its sharp satire of sci-fi’s rising self-seriousness and the rampant commercialization of pop culture. ButSpaceballs 2isn’t just a nostalgic encore. It’s a biting test:can satire still cut deep across a cinematic landscape that’s already laughing at itself?
WhenSpaceballsoriginally premiered, it arrived at the peak ofStar Warsmania. The original trilogy had concluded, andGeorge Lucashad already turned his space opera into a merchandising empire. Brooks saw an opportunity then to poke fun at everything – from lightsabers, to farcical plot twists, to corporate greed. The film worked because, at the time, sci-fi hadn’t developed a self-deprecating edge. There was ample room for a movie to hit screens that decimated the seriousness. That cultural moment madeSpaceballsmore than a parody – it was a counterweight to a genre taking itself too seriously. But thefranchises have evolved, and today, they’re in on the joke.
‘Spaceballs 2’ in the Age of Meta Humor
Modern blockbusters, especiallyStar Warsand the Marvel Cinematic Universe, are already filled with self-referential winks and ironic detachment.The Mandaloriangives nods to old-school tropes.The Last Jedideconstructed the Jedi mythology.Deadpoolturned meta-commentary into an art form. The very genres Brooks once parodied are now doing the work for him. This makesSpaceballs 2’s job much harder. Satire really only works when there’s something to expose –if franchises already parody themselves, what’s left for Brooks to ridicule?
Spaceballs 2isn’t Brooks’ first revival, though. In 2023, he returned withHistory of the World, Part II, a Hulu sketch comedy sequel to his 1981 historical parody. Reception, however, was mixed – which raises an eyebrow towardSpaceballs 2’s future. While some fans praised the 2023 sequel for its humor and modern updates, critics weren’t shy about noting that the show sometimes leaned too heavily on easy gags and current pop culture references. Rather than offering the biting commentary that Brooks’ works were known for, the sketches often felt like rehashed late-night comedy.
Somehow Rick Moranis Returned! Comedy Legend Is Coming Back for ‘Spaceballs 2’ — and He’s Not the Only One
A ‘Another One of Them Days’ star has also joined the quest for more money.
The response in 2023 is a cautionary tale for proceeding with additional parody sequels: revival alone doesn’t guarantee relevance, and for Spaceballs 2 to succeed,it needs to do more than provide callbacks. It will need a purpose.Thankfully, Brooks isn’t tackling the sequel alone. He’s teaming withJosh Gad, who brings a blend of blockbuster experience and comedic timing to the table. Gad is not only starring in the sequel, he’s also co-writing the script, which will hopefully help bridge the gap between generational humor. His involvement does, at least, signal a desire to updateSpaceballsfor a new audience, without completely letting go of its iconic identity.
Brooks isn’t the only returning legacy member, either.Bill PullmanandRick Moranisare also confirmed for the cast, but there will also be a new generation of comedic talent.Keke Palmerhas also been enlisted, as has Pullman’s son,Lewis Pullman. With the right balance of legacy and freshness,Spaceballs 2could reinvent itself by using comedic actors more attuned to what the modern audience member will laugh at, while still honoring what made it special in the first place.
Star Wars Needs to Be Parodied Now More Than Ever
Fortunately,there’s no shortage of material forSpaceballs 2to roast.Since 1987,Star Warshas added a prequel trilogy, a sequel trilogy, multiple animated series, and spin-offs in the form of both films likeSolo: A Star Wars Storyand series likeObi-Wan Kenobi, amassing a substantial Disney+ footprint. “Somehow, Palpatine returned,” has been waiting for its moment to be skewered on a scale far larger than internet memes.
And then there’s the franchise-rich ecosystem: the entirety of theever-growing Marvel multiverse, horror reboots and revivals aplenty, the digital spectacle ofAvatar, and much more. Cinema is continually ripe for parody – not because it’s as serious as it once was, but because it takes itself just seriously enough. If the newSpaceballsleans into this by mocking franchise fatigue, reboot obsession, and algorithm-driven storytelling, it could have something impactful to say about the modern blockbuster.
IfSpaceballs 2were just a cynical cash-in, Brooks would’ve greenlit a sequel years ago whenStar Warsnostalgia first surged.Instead, the decision to make the sequel now suggests a genuine creative vision. There’s an opportunity to revive the parody as more than a mirror – it could carve into a bloated industry that often sees spectacle stand in the place where substance should be. Brooks has always used absurdity as a weapon, and ifSpaceballs 2can wield it effectively, it could be one of the few capable of puncturing the armor of modern entertainment.
Relevancy vs. Redundancy
So, should we be getting aSpaceballssequel? I’d argue yes, but with a caveat– it has to know why it exists. Its predecessor didn’t succeed just because it mocked sci-fi tropes. It thrived because it held up a mirror to an industry becoming a merchandising empire. Today, that machine has evolved, but it’s still ripe for ridicule. IfSpaceballs 2can meet the current moment where it is with irreverence and awareness of the genre’s changes, it could be a vital follow-up. In an industry full of sequels and reboots that no one asked for, this could be the one we do need – if it’s willing to say something meaningful underneath its humor.
