‘Spaceballs’ sequel in development at Amazon MGM with Josh Gad starring, Mel Brooks producing

Amazon MGM Studios is developing a sequel to the 1987 comedy "Spaceballs," with Josh Gad set to star and produce alongside Mel Brooks. Josh Greenbaum will direct the film, working from a screenplay by Benji Samit, Dan Hernandez, and Gad. Kevin Salter will serve as executive producer. Plot details remain undisclosed, and Amazon has declined to comment on the project, which is currently in its early stages.

Screenwriters Samit and Hernandez are known for their work on "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem," "Pokemon Detective Pikachu," "Addams Family 2," and the upcoming Disney+/Lucasfilm special "Lego Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy."

The original "Spaceballs" featured Bill Pullman as Lone Star, John Candy as Barf, Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa, Rick Moranis as Lord Dark Helmet, and Brooks as President Skroob and Yogurt. The film is a parody of the "Star Wars" franchise and other popular sci-fi series such as "Star Trek" and "Alien."

Josh Gad is best known for his roles in Broadway's "The Book of Mormon" and as the voice of Olaf in the "Frozen" franchise. He is set to make his directorial debut with a Chris Farley biopic starring Paul Walter Hauser. Gad recently starred in "Gutenberg! The Musical!" on Broadway alongside Andrew Rannells.

Mel Brooks, an EGOT winner, recently revisited another classic comedy with "History of the World, Part II" in 2023. Brooks has directed and starred in films such as "Blazing Saddles," "Young Frankenstein," and "Robin Hood: Men in Tights." He was honored with the Career Achievement Award at the 84th Annual Peabody Awards earlier this month. Gad is represented by CAA, Sugar 23, ImPRint, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole LLP.